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Turkmenistan elects new president Turkmenistan elects new president
(about 2 hours later)
Voters in Turkmenistan are going to the polls to choose a successor to late autocratic President Saparmurat Niyazov amid hopes of a political thaw.Voters in Turkmenistan are going to the polls to choose a successor to late autocratic President Saparmurat Niyazov amid hopes of a political thaw.
Six men are vying for the post - the first multi-candidate elections in the gas-rich Central Asian nation.Six men are vying for the post - the first multi-candidate elections in the gas-rich Central Asian nation.
Interim leader Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov is seen as a clear favourite to win the polls.Interim leader Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov is seen as a clear favourite to win the polls.
The government has banned exile opposition politicians from standing, drawing international criticism.The government has banned exile opposition politicians from standing, drawing international criticism.
Niyazov ruled uninterrupted for 21 years in the energy-rich Central Asian country. He died in December last year.Niyazov ruled uninterrupted for 21 years in the energy-rich Central Asian country. He died in December last year.
Hopes of changeHopes of change
Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov is seen a clear favouriteGurbanguly Berdymukhamedov is seen a clear favourite
Polling stations opened at 0800 local time (0300 GMT) and will close at 1800 (1300 GMT).Polling stations opened at 0800 local time (0300 GMT) and will close at 1800 (1300 GMT).
All six of Niyazov's potential successors are members of Turkmenistan's only political party that was created by the late leader.All six of Niyazov's potential successors are members of Turkmenistan's only political party that was created by the late leader.
But Mr Berdymukhamedov, the former health minister, is the clear favourite, the BBC's Central Asian correspondent Natalia Antelava says.But Mr Berdymukhamedov, the former health minister, is the clear favourite, the BBC's Central Asian correspondent Natalia Antelava says.
She says that even the hand of the country's central election commission has publicly vowed to work to ensure Mr Berdymukhamedov's victory. She says that even the head of the country's central election commission has publicly vowed to work to ensure Mr Berdymukhamedov's victory.
Q&A: Turkmenistan votesQ&A: Turkmenistan votes
"We're not voting on the programmes because they are all the same," one Turkmen man told Reuters news agency, as he went to vote.
"Which one promised to pay a pension? That's the one I want to vote for," said an ethnic Russian woman in her 50s.
Like the other contenders, Mr Berdymukhamedov pledges to follow in the footsteps of the late president.Like the other contenders, Mr Berdymukhamedov pledges to follow in the footsteps of the late president.
However, he has also promised unlimited access to the internet, better education and higher pensions.However, he has also promised unlimited access to the internet, better education and higher pensions.
Only 1% of Turkmenistan's five million people currently have internet access, and the nation's education system is presently based almost entirely on Niyazov's book, Rukhnama, our correspondent says.Only 1% of Turkmenistan's five million people currently have internet access, and the nation's education system is presently based almost entirely on Niyazov's book, Rukhnama, our correspondent says.
But after two decades of living under one of the world's most isolated and repressive governments, many voters see this election as a first step towards much needed change, our correspondent adds.But after two decades of living under one of the world's most isolated and repressive governments, many voters see this election as a first step towards much needed change, our correspondent adds.
Officials results are expected on Wednesday.Officials results are expected on Wednesday.