updates available: Local elections day blogging today.

by

19:15

The higher Election Council does not allow to announce results yet, but the vibe in opposition is that AKP may be losing.

18:20

Istanbul mayoral contest takes centre stage as Turkey votes in local elections

Turkey local elections marred by irregularities in Kurdish provinces

As polls close: YSK bans journalists from taking footage of counting, GGC calls for “ensure life safety”

On March 31, 2024, during the local elections, journalists were attacked and obstructed.

📌 Journalists were attacked during clashes in Diyarbakır’s Sur district, while Anadolu Agency’s vehicle was hit by a bullet.

📌 Following a circular issued by the Supreme Board of Elections, journalists were banned from filming during vote counting. Following the ban, police officers started to remove journalists from schools in many election districts.

 

 

18:00

Voting ended.

16:15

The total number of voter fraud detected so far is 55 thousand people across Turkey and the number is increasing every hour.

Almost all of these 55 thousand people are military or security personnel.

Let’s take a look at how the inclusion of so many people in the system through voter registration disrupts the democratic equation;

In the general elections held in Şırnak province, which was at the center of the controversy
Alliance with AKP; 20,335 votes,
The alliance including HDP received 24,907 votes. The difference in the last election in Şırnak was only 4,572 votes. At least 6,000 voters were identified as having been transported.

In the 2019 local elections in Kars,
HDP received 12,192 votes
AKP received 10,954 votes. The difference here is 1,238 votes. At least 3,600 voters have been identified in Kars so far.

The situation is similar in Iğdır, another city where controversy continues. In the 2019 local elections
HDP; 22,227 votes
AKP received 20,713 votes. The difference here is 1,514 votes. Thousands of voters were found to have moved here as well.

In Ağrı, HDP, which entered the May 14 general elections under the name Green Left Party, received 31,588 votes.
AKP and its alliance received 26,200 votes. The difference is 5,388 votes.

The situation in all other districts where the controversy continues is exactly as above. So the results are always neck and neck.

It seems that the AKP has studied all these cities long before the elections and has invented a new generation of trustee appointment method by making desk moves.

DEM candidate in Mardin exposed to pepper spray

DEM official killed in armed fight between muhtar candidates

Şırnak, Mardin, Ağrı, Kars, Siirt… Şehir dışından getirilen güvenlik kuvvetlerinin sandıklarda toplu oy kullanmasına tepkiler [Şırnak, Mardin, Ağrı, Kars, Siirt… Reactions to the mass voting of security forces brought from outside the city]

Turkey’s opposition in electoral battle to keep hold of major cities

What shapes Turkey’s municipal elections? – Al Jazeera

15:50

French delegation monitoring elections in Mardin denied permission to observe elections

A monitoring delegation from France, together with Ahmet Türk, DEM Party’s candidate for Mardin Metropolitan Municipality, went to Mardin’s Savur district over allegations of voter transportation.

The police prevented the French delegation from inspecting schools in the district.

 

MLSA’s Twitter account is a reliable source to follow violations.

 

Southeast/ Kurdish areas, as usual.

Some Kurds are annoyed with security personnel voting in Kurdish areas. I have seen several cases from Şırnak.

In Kurdish towns, the reactions to the transportation of votes continue. When an uncle asks where are you from, they cannot speak or answer, they just remain silent!

13:00

You might have observed that I was not very excited about today’s elections. Normally, we would have election-watch events, but I was not in the mood this time. Throughout the day, I will share links that are relevant to reading. I may comment on the day’s happenings. Without wishful thinking, I believe that İmamoğlu and Yavaş (İstanbul and Ankara) will win again. I am curious about Yeniden Refah Party‘s performance. They may anger Erdoğan if they prevent AKP’s success. Finally, yes, İstanbul is important, but I would not see this election’s results as life-changing for Türkiye despite the links below.

At Stake in the Istanbul Mayoral Race: Turkey’s Political Future

Turkey’s local elections — and whoever wins Istanbul — could dictate future – CNBC

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