The Mejlis of Turkmenistan at its regular session held today in Ashgabat adopted a law on a new bicameral Parliament, called "Milli Genesh"("national Council").

This draft law defines "the organization of activities and structure of this representative legislative body, the working procedure of its chambers and their bureaus, committees and commissions, members and deputies, their functions and powers," the official statement of the state news Agency of Turkmenistan reads.

The draft law was developed in connection with the amendments to the Constitution of Turkmenistan, which were adopted on September 25 this year by the highest representative body of power – the Halk Maslahaty (People's Council), on the basis of which the upper house of Parliament will be created, and the Mejlis of the country.

The constitutional law "on amendments and additions to the Constitution of Turkmenistan" will come into force on January 1, 2021. According to it, the new bicameral Parliament – the national Council of Turkmenistan-will consist of 181 deputies. The upper house of representatives Halk Maslahaty will include 56 people. Eight people from each region and city of Ashgabat, 8 more people will be appointed by the President of the country. A citizen of Turkmenistan aged 30 or over, with higher education, who has been permanently residing in the country for the last 10 years, can be elected and appointed as a member of the Halk Maslahaty for a period of 5 years.

The number of members of the lower legislative chamber (Mejlis) will remain the same-125 deputies elected for a 5-year term.

The first elections to the upper house of the national Council of Turkmenistan will held in March 2021.