The elections in Turkmenistan since its split from the Soviet Union have been widely criticized for being neither free nor fair and attempting to give an appearance of legitimacy to what is in reality a dictatorship.
[2] After declaring independence from the Soviet Union, the president was set to be elected for a five-year term by the people.
An election to replace him was held on 11 February 2007, which was won by ruling party candidate Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow.
The Halk Maslahaty (People's Council) which is considered the ultimate representative body, has more than 2,500 members; it was abolished in late 2008.
Berdimuhamedow received the lowest number of votes out of any winning candidate in all Turkmen presidential elections.