Turkmenistan leader’s son wins presidential election | Health and fitness and Physical fitness

ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan (AP) — Turkmenistan founded a political dynasty Tuesday, as authorities claimed the son of the Central Asian country’s chief received its presidential election after an unconventional vote-counting hold off.

Serdar Berdymukhamedov, 40, was the overwhelming most loved in Saturday’s election to lead the isolated, fuel-prosperous state and succeed his father, Gurbanguly. The central election fee stated Serdar Berdymukhamedov gained 72.97% of the votes.

His closest rival in a discipline of nine candidates was university official Khyrdyr Nunnayev, who gained 11%.

There was an unpredicted wait for the final result, after authorities explained Sunday they required more time to rely the votes. Central election fee chairman Gulmyrat Myradov advised reporters that votes ended up still becoming counted, such as individuals from people living overseas, and that preliminary outcomes would very likely be documented Monday.

Turkmenistan normally announces preliminary election effects on the pursuing day, this sort of as when the elder Berdymukhamedov received reelection with more than 97% of the vote in 2017. No election in Turkmenistan, which became unbiased with the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union, has been viewed as truly competitive.

Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, 64, announced the vote previous thirty day period, expressing the region ought to be run by youthful persons. He experienced been the country’s chief given that he was 1st appointed acting president when the eccentric Saparmurat Niyazov died in December 2006.

The nation has prolonged been complicated for outsiders to enter, and has not described a single circumstance of infection in the coronavirus pandemic. It also has struggled to diversify its financial system, overwhelmingly dependent on huge normal fuel reserves.

The elder Berdymukhamedov proven a cult of character with the title Arkadag, or Protector, and was keen to clearly show his physical health and fitness with stunts together with driving sporting activities cars and trucks, focus on capturing and hoisting a gold weightlifting bar to applause from his cabinet. Underneath his rule, China replaced Russia as the main purchaser for Turkmenistan’s large fuel reserves.

Serdar Berdymukhamedov has risen by way of a collection of ever more well known federal government posts and most not long ago has served as the country’s deputy key minister, answering straight to his father. He lately turned 40, the least age for president according to the Turkmen regulation.

“My primary goal is to continue on the glorious route of improvement crafted throughout 30 years of independence and to successfully employ systems aimed at making sure a substantial amount of social problems for the people,” Serdar Berdymukhamedov said when presenting his platform in a televised speech.

Talking to reporters right after casting his ballot, he vowed to continue on the country’s neutral international plan if elected.

In the course of the marketing campaign, all candidates praised Berdymukhamedov’s father, who stated he will retain the article of the head of the country’s upper home of parliament.

On voting day, people dancers and singers executed as loud tunes blared from loudspeakers at polling stations. Engulfing the stations were being fumes from burning harmala, a plant commonly applied in Turkmenistan to fumigate properties and general public areas to enable prevent the distribute of infectious illnesses.

Angela Charlton in Paris contributed.