Information about the Mejlis of Turkmenistan

General Information

   The Mejlis of Turkmenistan (Parliament) is a representative body exercising legislative power. The activities of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan are carried out in accordance with the Constitution of Turkmenistan and other regulatory legal acts of Turkmenistan that regulate the activities of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan (next – Mejlis). The Mejlis consists of 125 deputies elected by constituencies. Deputies are elected for a 5 year term. A citizen of Turkmenistan who has reached the age of twenty-five years by the election day and has been permanently residing in Turkmenistan for the previous ten years may be elected as a deputy of the Mejlis. The last elections of deputies of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan (seventh convocation) were held on March 26, 2023.

Organization of the activities of the Mejlis and its structures

   The Mejlis carries out its activities in the form of sessions. The session of the Mejlis is convened by the Chairman of the Mejlis as needed, but at least twice a year. An special session of the Mejlis may be convened at the initiative of the President of Turkmenistan or at the proposal of at least one third of the total number of deputies of the Mejlis. At the session of the Mejlis, in the manner prescribed by the Regulations of the Mejlis, representatives of state bodies, public associations, scientific institutions, the media, as well as other persons may be present. The President of Turkmenistan and the Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan have the right to participate in all sessions of the Mejlis. Deputy Chairmen of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan can take part in all sessions of the Mejlis. The procedure for organizing and holding a session of the Mejlis is determined by the Regulations of the Mejlis.

There are 8 committees in the Mejlis:

• For the Protection of Human Rights and Freedoms;
• For the legislation and its norms;
• For science, education, culture and youth policy;
• For economic issues;
• For social politics;
• For international and inter-parliamentary relations;
• For environmental protection, nature management and agro-industrial complex;
• For working with local representative authorities and self-government.

Powers of the Mejlis

   - adoption of the Constitution and laws, making amendments and additions to them, monitoring their implementation and their official interpretation;

   - obligatory consideration of approval of laws adopted by the President of Turkmenistan;

   - consideration of approving the program of activities of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan;

   - consideration of approval of the State budget of Turkmenistan and a report on its implementation;

   - consideration of the main directions of domestic and foreign policy of the state and programs of political, economic, social and cultural development of the country;

   - resolution of issues on holding national referendums;

   - appointment of elections of the President of Turkmenistan, deputies of the Mejlis, members of the velayat, etrap and city halk maslahaty and Gengeshes, as well as other powers provided by law.

Powers of deputies

   The powers of the deputies of the Mejlis of the new convocation are recognized at the first session of the Mejlis of the new convocation.Deputies of the Mejlis of the previous convocation retain their powers until the opening of the first session of the Mejlis of the new convocation.Deputies, being authorized representatives of the people, have full rights that ensure their activities in the Mejlis. Work on the preparation, consideration, adoption of laws and other normative legal acts and control over their implementation is the main activity of the deputy of the Mejlis.The state guarantees the deputy of the Mejlis the creation of all conditions for the unhindered and effective exercise of his powers, the protection of his rights and freedoms, life, honor and dignity, as well as personal inviolability. The state guarantees the deputy of the Mejlis the creation of all conditions for the unhindered and effective exercise of his powers, the protection of his rights and freedoms, life, honor and dignity, as well as personal inviolability. A deputy of the Mejlis cannot simultaneously hold the position of a member of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan, hakim, archin, judge, prosecutor. When a deputy of the Mejlis is appointed or elected to one of these positions, his deputy powers from the time of appointment or election to this position are considered terminated.