AKIPRESS.COM - The inauguration of the President-elect of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov took place in Ashgabat on March 19, official Turkmen media report.  

The ceremony was attended by the members of the Government and the Security Council, heads of the Government agencies, diplomats and journalists.

Chairman of the Central Election Commission Gulmurad Muradov gave Berdimuhamedov the President’s certificate.

Putting his hand on the Constitution, Berdimuhamedov was sworn in as a President making a commitment to "strictly follow the Constitution and laws of Turkmenistan, guarantee the rights and freedoms of the citizens, faithfully fulfill the duties assigned to the President of Turkmenistan."

Snap presidential election took place on March 12. The voter turnout was 97.17% or 3,362,052 people cast their ballots. The CEC, after counting all the ballots, announced the victory of the candidate from the Democratic Party, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, who won 72.97% of the votes.

Presidential elections in Turkmenistan are held every seven years.