ave 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; note - the president is both the chief of state
and head of government; Deputy Chairmen of the Cabinet of Ministers
Mukhamed ABALAKOV (since NA), Babamurad BAZAROV (since NA), Dadebaya
ANNAGELDIYEV (since NA), Orazgeldy AYDOGDYYEV (since NA), Hudaayguly
HALYKOV (since NA), Aleksandr DADONOV (since NA), Pirkuly ODEYEV
(since NA), Rejep SAPAROV (since NA), Boris SHIKHMURADOV (since NA),
Batyr SARJAYEV (since NA), Ilaman SHYKHYYEV (since NA)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
note: NIYAZOV has been asked by various local groups, most recently on
26 October 1995 at the annual elders meeting, 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 - 99.9% of total vote in favor - by national
referendum held 15 January 1994); deputy chairmen of the cabinet of
ministers are appointed by the president
election results: Saparmurad NIYAZOV elected president without
opposition; percent of vote - Saparmurad 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 popularly elected and some 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 - no elections; Assembly - last held 11
December 1994 (next to be held NA 1999)
election results: Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by
party