Following the announcement of the official election results, all the main parties have found reasons to demand recounts.

Professor Sancar criticizes the political and electoral system as failing to allow all segments of the society to express themselves. Nonetheless, she matriculates the regression in AKP's votes, as well as CHP's rise deferring new developments on the left.

According to writer Bora, the 5.6 point increase the MHP received in these local elections compared to 2004, is due to several factors: successful organisation, a party move to the centre, candidate profiles, and local reactions to Kurds.

Assoc. Prof. Yeğen argues that neither Kurds nor Turks are happy with the AKP’s “embarrassed recognition” of the Kurdish question.

Province party chair Tekin has announced that the CHP is contesting the results in five districts of Istanbul as well as the town of Safranbolu.

The second Ergenekon indictment speaks about the murders of Kurdish intellectual Musa Anter and DEP MP Mehmet Sicar. It also mentions the disappearance of two HADEP politicians in 2001.

The Prime Minister has annonced a crisis package which involves a three-monthly reduction in certain taxes.

Eight organisations will monitor the local elections on Sunday, 29 March, in order to make sure that they are carried out democratically. Most of the sixteen provinces to be monitored are in the east and southeast of Turkey.

Şırnak Bar Association chair Elçi says relatives of disappeared persons applied for support. Excavations for remains of alleged victims of extra-judicial killings in 1990s will continue in coming days. A former gendarme commander is under arrest.

The Diyarbakır Chamber of Physicians has created a basic Kurdish guide for Turkish doctors sent on duty in the southeast of the country. The aim is to improve doctor-patient communication.

The prosecution investigating the death wells in Cizre has taken Temizöz, former JITEM commander in the area, into custody in Kayseri. According to former JİTEM member Aygan, Temizöz was involved in many extrajudicial killings.

South African rights-activist Setshedi, explains women's experience in the struggle against the commercialization of water, at the Alternative Water Forum in ıstanbul.

DTP candidate for Sur district mayor, Demirbaş thinks this year's spring festivities hold importance because of upcoming elections. He plans to continue providing multilingual local services, if elected. That was why he was dismissed from office.

According to TİHV chair Önen, recently revealed information shows that a divide had formed at military command by the plans to overthrow the government in 2003-2004. "Now, AKP takes on this futile organization through Ergenekon case."

The former president of the Human Rights Association comments on the coup plans revealed in the media and on the Ergenekon investigation. He remembers anticipating tensions in 2003 and 2004, but not a military coup.

Senior adviser to the president of the UN General Assembly, Maude Barlow criticizes the World Water Forum as corporations dominate it. "Right to water is a human right" says Barlow and urges for public control over water management.

Iraqi president talks about a joint call to PKK rebels to give up armed struggle. PKK dismisses the possibility to participate at the conference.

Water rights activist Öngür says that the World Water Forum’s primary aim is to commercialise water. Of the 30 or so members from Turkey joining the forum, 27 are construction companies, he points out.

Peace activist and sociologist Yeğen says the electorate will also vote to define an approach to the Kurdish issue. "DTP-PKK line hopes to establish themselves as the legitimate address of solution while the government wants conservative Kurds to strengthen."

After the find of bones and flannel on 9 March in one well, the opening of another well has revealed bones, hair and clothing.