Turkmenistan Prepares to Elect New President
Voters in Turkmenistan will cast ballots, this Sunday, in the country’s first multi-candidate presidential election. The election was scheduled following the December death of President Saparmurat Niyazov, who ruled Turkmenistan since 1991. VOA’s Lisa McAdams in Moscow has details: Acting President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov is believed to be the front-runner in the race, having been openly supported by state media and top ranking officials, including the head of the country’s Central Election Commission. He is a long-time Niyazov insider who rose through the ranks to become deputy prime minister. Full Story