Leaders’ Initial Remarks on General Election
Political party leaders, commonly underlining the importance of democracy and need for peace have made their initial remarks regarding November 1 snap general election in Turkey.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan voted in İstanbul. Erdoğan went to voting with his wife Emine Erdoğan and daughter Sümeyye Erdoğan.
Erdoğan made statements in the room where he went for voting:
"This elections was necessitated by the political deadlock resulted by June election results.
"It is obvious that this election will be beneficial for the future of our people. We all will have to respect the outcome which will be the result of national will".
Prime Minister and Justice and Development Party Leader Ahmet Davutoğlu voted in Konya where he made his statements:
"First of all, we wish this election to be beneficial for our people. Turkey is now a country that is governed by democracy and will persistently continue to do so.
"I invite all people to go to ballot box in peace and tranquility. I wish everyone to warmly welcome each other even though they are members of different parties.
"Those who speculate about election safety might be the ones that target low-participation of the election. Security measures have been taken all across the country.
"There can't be anything more important than democracy and human resource. Thus, everyone must look after democracy".
Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) Co-Chair Figen Yüksekdağ voted in Van.
Yüksekdağ being welcomed by HDP supporters at the entrance of the school where she went for voting said "I wish we won't have to be stubborn for peace.
"We want peace and democracy to emerge from this election that is imposed upon us. We faced very dramatic days. I desire all the elections held by peoples shall not be destroyed by this politics.
"People in Van defended their votes and will under pressure and conflict. Today I believe they will again reflect their belief in peace and democracy. I hope it won't be a Turkey in which pain, tears, war, tyranny take place. The people voted to prevent it and I hope we will win".
People's Republican Party (CHP) Leader Kemal Kılçdaroğlu voted in Ankara. Kılıçdaroğlu voting with his wife has made the following statement to press members:
"It is a very important election for democracy, future of our children and our republic. We came and voted, I hope it will be good for all of us.
"We voiced everywhere that we are against terror. We desire peace and tranquility in this country. This country belongs to all of us, we all want to live in peace and fraternity".
It was HDP Co-Cahir Demirtaş who voted first among political party heads. Demirtaş voted in İstanbul at around 9:50 a.m.
Demirtaş emphasizing the need for peace and tranquility said, "We are undergoing a very important election in terms of Turkey's political history. I hope the political results that will come out of the election will be beneficial to whole country.
"What Turkey desires most is peace and tranquility. The election period was passed with troubling incidents. Unfortunately we lost some people. I hope election results will be of some condolence to families of the people who lost their lives.
"Everyone must vote by evening. It is peoples' hands to determine our future. May it be well for all of us".
Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Leader Devlet Bahçeli hasn't made any statement as to the elections yet.(AS/BK/TK)
Click the links below to read the article in Turkish
http://bianet.org/bianet/siyaset/168841-erdogan-milli-iradeye-saygi-duymamiz-gerekecek
http://bianet.org/bianet/siyaset/168840-davutoglu-ndan-sandik-basi-gafi-bayram-konusmami-yapacagim
http://bianet.org/bianet/toplum/168839-yuksekdag-bir-daha-baris-icin-inat-etmemiz-gerekmesin
http://bianet.org/bianet/siyaset/168845-kilicdaroglu-huzur-ve-refah-istiyoruz
http://bianet.org/bianet/siyaset/168849-oy-kullanma-islemi-sona-erdi