Turkey braces for tomorrow's local elections

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
30 Mar 2024 15:21

Turkey is once again heading to the polls, marking the second time in less than a year.

Volunteers look at an election representative showing a ballot during tabulation at a polling station in Istanbul, Turkey, May 28, 2023. (AP)

Turkey is gearing up for local elections this Sunday, where voters will choose city mayors, district mayors, and other local officials to serve for the next five years. Key battlegrounds include Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir.

With more than 61 million voters expected to participate across the country, polling stations, totaling over 200,000, will see candidates from 34 political parties vying for positions.

#Istanbul is one of the cities that will hold the fiercest battles for this year's #Turkish Local Elections.

Check out its significance and the main candidates nominated by its major parties.#Turkey #TurkeyElections #Erdogan pic.twitter.com/LFuA4ScvBo
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) March 28, 2024

Major contenders include the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party, the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), the Good (IYI) Party, and the Peoples' Democratic Party (DEM Party).

The #Turkish people are preparing for #Turkey's local elections scheduled for March 31.

The outcomes of the local elections in Istanbul are significant, as they could determine the trajectory of the entire country.

In the previous local elections of 2019, the Turkish… pic.twitter.com/zGtFDu2F02
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) March 29, 2024

Voters will cast their ballots exclusively for candidates in their respective districts, with approximately 1.32 million young voters participating for the first time.

Mobile ballot boxes, numbering over 1,000, will cater to voters unable to reach polling stations due to health or disability reasons.

Election day

On Election Day, the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages will be prohibited from 6 am to 12 midnight in all alcohol-serving and public venues. Entertainment venues like coffeehouses, teahouses, and internet cafes will be closed, though restaurants will remain open.

The Turkish Penal Code prohibits the carrying of weapons, except for authorized security personnel, in villages, towns, and cities.

Radio stations and broadcast media are barred from reporting on the elections or making predictions until 6 pm (local time). From 6 to 9 pm (local time), election-related broadcasts can only include news and announcements from the Supreme Election Council (YSK). All restrictions will be lifted after 9 pm (local time).