Turkmen Pol Promises Unlimited Internet

Voters in Turkmenistan are choosing a successor for the late president Saparmurat Niyazov, who died in December after 21 years in power.

The BBC reported that interim leader Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov was the favorite to win the election, although six candidates were running.

All the candidates belong to Turkmenistan’s only political party, the Democratic Party, which was formed by the late president.

Berdymukhamedov pledged to follow in the footsteps of his predecessor, a virtual dictator. But he also promised unlimited Internet access, as well as an improved education system, the BBC said.

Only 1 percent of Turkmenistan’s 5 million people have Internet access and the nation’s education system is primarily based on a book written by the late president.

Official election results were expected on Wednesday.