All six candidates for president of Turkmenistan have published their election programs. The presidential elections are set for February 11. The older of the candidates is Amanyaz Atadzhikov, 60, the head of the Dashogouzskaya regional administration. He met with voters on Tuesday. All candidates declared their commitment to the course of the Great Serdar (leader), as the late president Saparmurat Niyazov is called in Turkmenistan. They vowed dedication to his foreign and internal policy, the economic strategy and social programs. Acting president Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov called in his election program for the adoption of international standards in secondary and higher education, the recognition of Turkmenistan’s certificates and diplomas abroad, free access to the Internet and a revision of pension legislation. Another presidential aspirant, Karabekaulsky district administration head Mukhammetnazar Gurbanov, promised development of basic research and state support to pilgrims who make an annual hajj to Mecca. Deputy Minister of Oil and Gas industry Ishanguly Nuryyev has as slates of this platform the growing well-being of people on the basis of energy security, an increase in the hydrocarbon output and fuel exports to world markets. The mayor of the city of Turkmenbashi, Ashyrniyaz Pomanov, cited as a priority in his election program a pick-up of the agriculture and support of youth and sport programs. The mayor of the industrial city of Abadan, Orazmyrat Garadzhayev, also capitalizes on the rise of the agriculture sector, development of cities and settlements, as well as reforms in culture and education. Meetings of the presidential candidates with the electorate are broadcast on state television after news bulletins, and accounts of their meetings with the public are published in central newspapers. (Itar-Tass)