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| Turkmenistan set for new leader | Turkmenistan set for new leader |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| The Central Asian state of Turkmenistan is set to inaugurate its new leader, following the death of long-time President Saparmurat Niyazov last year. | |
| Polls were held on Sunday and the new leader will be revealed and then sworn in at a ceremony on Wednesday. | Polls were held on Sunday and the new leader will be revealed and then sworn in at a ceremony on Wednesday. |
| Diplomats from Russia, China and the US are flying to meet the president, despite not knowing who it will be. | Diplomats from Russia, China and the US are flying to meet the president, despite not knowing who it will be. |
| But interim leader Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, a former dentist, is seen as the clear front-runner. | But interim leader Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, a former dentist, is seen as the clear front-runner. |
| Voters were offered the choice of six men, all members of the ruling - and only - political party, in Turkmenistan's first multi-candidate poll. | Voters were offered the choice of six men, all members of the ruling - and only - political party, in Turkmenistan's first multi-candidate poll. |
| The government banned exile opposition politicians from standing, drawing international criticism. | The government banned exile opposition politicians from standing, drawing international criticism. |
| Hints of change | Hints of change |
| Leaders and senior diplomats from major powers and around Central Asia are due in the capital, Ashgabat, for the announcement. | Leaders and senior diplomats from major powers and around Central Asia are due in the capital, Ashgabat, for the announcement. |
| Russia is a major buyer of Turkmen gas and key nations have spoken of the need to maintain stability in the energy-rich nation. | Russia is a major buyer of Turkmen gas and key nations have spoken of the need to maintain stability in the energy-rich nation. |
| The head of the electoral commission will announce the result of the vote at a meeting of the 2,500 members of the People's Assembly of Turkmenistan. | The head of the electoral commission will announce the result of the vote at a meeting of the 2,500 members of the People's Assembly of Turkmenistan. |
| Q&A: Turkmenistan votes | Q&A: Turkmenistan votes |
| The BBC's Natalia Antelava in Almaty says the outcome of the poll is easy to predict, with Mr Berdymukhamedov the favourite. | The BBC's Natalia Antelava in Almaty says the outcome of the poll is easy to predict, with Mr Berdymukhamedov the favourite. |
| Mr Niyazov's unexpected death caused consternation because he left no designated successor. | Mr Niyazov's unexpected death caused consternation because he left no designated successor. |
| He ruled for 21 years, tolerating no dissent as he crafted an elaborate personality cult, reduced spending on education and healthcare, and isolated his country from the outside world. | He ruled for 21 years, tolerating no dissent as he crafted an elaborate personality cult, reduced spending on education and healthcare, and isolated his country from the outside world. |
| But analysts say there are some signs that the new leadership may be willing to introduce some changes. | But analysts say there are some signs that the new leadership may be willing to introduce some changes. |
| An international think-tank says that there are hints that they may be considering relaxing the political repression exercised under Mr Niyazov. | An international think-tank says that there are hints that they may be considering relaxing the political repression exercised under Mr Niyazov. |
| International Crisis Group said it is not known how many people were imprisoned or disappeared under him. | International Crisis Group said it is not known how many people were imprisoned or disappeared under him. |
| But the group said that there were unconfirmed reports that two former ministers had been released from prison and that some officials were discussing whether to review the cases of political prisoners. | But the group said that there were unconfirmed reports that two former ministers had been released from prison and that some officials were discussing whether to review the cases of political prisoners. |