Government type: republic
Capital: Ashgabat
Administrative divisions: 5 welayatlar (singular—welayat): Ahal Welayaty (Ashgabat), Balkan Welayaty (Nebitdag), Dashhowuz Welayaty (formerly Tashauz), Lebap Welayaty (Charjew), Mary Welayaty note: administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses)
Independence: 27 October 1991 (from the Soviet Union)
National holiday: Independence Day, 27 October (1991)
Constitution: adopted 18 May 1992
Legal system: based on civil law system
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President and Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers
Saparmurat NIYAZOV (since 27 October 1990, when the first direct
presidential election occurred); note—the president is both the
chief of state and head of government
head of government: President and Chairman of the Cabinet of
Ministers Saparmurat NIYAZOV (since 27 October 1990, when the first
direct presidential election occurred); note—the president is both
the chief of state and head of government; Deputy Chairmen of the
Cabinet of Ministers Mukhamed ABALAKOV (since NA), Orazgeldy
AYDOGDIYEV (since NA 1992), Hudaayguly HALYKOV (since NA 1996),
Rejep SAPAROV (since NA 1992), Boris SHIKHMURADOV (since NA 1993),
Batyr SARJAYEV (since NA 1993), Ilaman SHIKHIYEV (since NA 1995),
Yolly GURBANMURADOV (since NA 1997), Saparmurat NURIYEV (since NA
1997)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
note: NIYAZOV has been asked by various local groups, most recently
on 21 December 1998 at the Second Congress of the Democratic Party,
to be "president for life," but he has declined, saying the status
would require an amendment to the constitution
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;
election last held 21 June 1992 (next to be held NA 2002;
note—extension of President NIYAZOV's term for an additional five
years overwhelmingly approved by national referendum held 15 January
1994); deputy chairmen of the cabinet of ministers are appointed by
the president
election results: Saparmurat NIYAZOV elected president without
opposition; percent of vote—Saparmurat NIYAZOV 99.5%
Legislative branch: under the 1992 constitution, there are two parliamentary bodies, a unicameral People's Council or Halk Maslahaty (more than 100 seats, some of which are elected by popular vote and some of which are appointed; meets infrequently) and a unicameral Assembly or Majlis (50 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: People's Council—NA; Assembly—last held 11 December 1994 (next to be held NA December 1999) election results: Assembly—percent of vote by party—NA; seats by party—Democratic Party 45, other 5; note—all 50 preapproved by President NIYAZOV