Voting Begins in Turkey

Click to read the article in Turkish / Kurdish

The ballot boxes have been opened for the Presidential and Parliamentary elections. The voters can cast their votes until 5 p.m. today (June 24).

56 million 322 thousand 632 voters living in Turkey will cast their votes at 180 thousand and 65 ballot boxes across Turkey.

The voting procedure for the citizens of Turkey living abroad started on June 7 and continued until June 19. The ones who are registered as overseas voters can cast their votes at the customs gates until 5 p.m. today.

Across Turkey, the voters can vote between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. However, in case there are still voters waiting to cast their votes at the ballot boxes, they can vote after the presiding officer counts the number of the waiting voters.

Electoral prohibitions

As part of the electoral prohibitions, all media outlets are forbidden to publish or broadcast news, forecasts or commentaries regarding the election and its results until 6 p.m. However, the Supreme Election Council (YSK) is authorized to lift the related prohibition at an earlier time.

The sale of alcohol is also prohibited between 6 a.m. and 12 a.m. On this day, it is forbidden for everyone to carry weapons, except for the officers responsible for ensuring public security and order.

During the voting process, the public places of entertainment such as coffeehouses and internet cafes will also remain closed. While restaurants are only allowed to serve meals, wedding ceremonies without a service of alcoholic beverages can also be held after 6 p.m. (HK/SD)