5) define measures for the rational use of natural resources and protection of the
environment;
6) assist in maintaining public order;
7) address other issues referred by law to the competence of the Gengesh.
The decisions of the Gengesh, taken within its competence, shall be binding on the relevant
territory.
Gengeshi may be endowed by law with separate state powers with the allocation of material
and financial resources necessary for their implementation. The implementation of the
transferred powers shall be supervised by the state.
Article 117. The Gengesh shall elect an archyn [head of the Gengesh] from among its
members, who directs the work of the Gengesh and is accountable to it.
Archyn shall ensure the implementation of decisions of the Gengesh, acts of state authorities,
and address other issues of local importance.
Article 118. Law shall determine the procedure for the formation and activity of Gengesh
and territorial public self-government bodies, as well as their relations with state authorities.
SECTION V. ELECTION SYSTEM, REFERENDUM
Article 119. Elections of the President of Turkmenistan, deputies of the Mejlis, members of
the welayat, etrap and city halk maslahaty and Gengeshi shall be held based on universal and
equal suffrage. Citizens of Turkmenistan who have reached the age of eighteen shall have the
right to vote, each voter shall have one vote.
Citizens, who have been declared legally incompetent by the court, as well as those serving
sentences in places of deprivation of liberty, shall not participate in the elections. Restriction
of citizens’ electoral rights in other cases shall be unacceptable and entail liability established
by law.
Article 120. The laws of Turkmenistan shall determine the requirements for candidates for
members of the Halk Maslahaty, deputies of the Mejlis, members of the welayat, etrap and
city halk maslahaty and Gengeshi.
Article 121. The elections shall be direct, and the elected persons shall be directly elected by
the citizens.