The commission also gave orders for all 65 electoral districts to start preparing for the election.
The candidates are current acting President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov; Deputy Petroleum Industry and Mineral Resources Minister Ishanguly Nuryev; Abadan city head Orazmyrad Garajayev; Turkmenbashi city Governor Ashirniyaz Pomanov; parliament deputy and First Deputy Governor of the Dashoguz region Amanyaz Atajykov; and the head of the Karabekaul district, Mukhammetnazar Gurbanov.
CEC chief Murad Karryev has said he would "do everything" to make sure Berdymukhammedov wins "because he is a worthy candidate."
Turkmenistan's state newspapers today published the new law on presidential elections, adopted at a December 26 session of the Halk Maslahaty (People's Council).
Under President Saparmurat Niyazov, who died last week after leading independent Turkmenistan since 1991, a law on presidential elections was never adopted.
(ITAR-TASS)