ASHGABAT, March 28 (Xinhua) -- Voters went to polling stations across Turkmenistan on Sunday to elect members for the newly created upper house of parliament, according to state news agency Turkmenistan Today.
The upper house of parliament consists of 56 seats, including eight seats appointed by the Turkmen president and 48 elected by voters. A total of 112 candidates are vying for the 48 seats.
The turnout was at 98.7 percent, according to the Central Election Committee, and election results are expected in five days.
Turkmenistan approved constitutional changes last September, expanding the country's unicameral parliament to two chambers.
Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov hailed the move as "another important step toward democratizing our country." Enditem
