Interim Verdict by YSK: 5,135 More Restricted Voters to be Examined in İstanbul

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The Supreme Election Council (YSK) will examine 5,135 restricted voters in İstanbul local elections, Recep Özel, the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) representative to the YSK announced.

Speaking to journalists, Özel said they submitted a petition and court verdicts to the YSK, claiming that 5,135 restricted voters cannot cast votes, the state-run Anadolu Agency reported.

Özel said that the YSK made an interim verdict for these issues to be examined, giving five days to the district election councils to review the claims.

After this verdict, the number of restricted voters who will be examined became 46,267.

The YSK made an interim verdict on April 23, deciding 41,132 restricted voters shall be examined.

The main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu won the elections on March 31 and assumed office on April 18.

The right to elect and be elected in Constitution

Article 67 of the Constitution stipulates the following for the right to vote be elected:

"In conformity with the conditions set forth in the law, citizens have the right to vote, to be elected, to engage in political activities independently or in a political party, and to take part in a referendum.

(As amended on July 23, 1995; Act No. 4121) Elections and referenda shall be held under the direction and supervision of the judiciary, in accordance with the principles of free, equal, secret, direct, universal suffrage, and public counting of the votes. However, the law determines applicable measures for Turkish citizens abroad to exercise their right to vote.

(As amended on May 17, 1987; Act No. 3361, and on July 23, 1995; Act No. 4121) All Turkish citizens over eighteen years of age shall have the right to vote in elections and to take part in referenda.

The exercise of these rights shall be regulated by law.

(As amended on July 23, 1995; Act No. 4121, and on October 3, 2001; Act No. 4709) Privates and corporals at arms, cadets, and convicts in penal execution institutions excluding those convicted of negligent offenses shall not vote. The necessary measures to be taken to ensure the safety of voting and the counting of the votes in penal execution institutions and prisons shall be determined by the Supreme Board of Election; such voting is held under the on-site direction and supervision of an authorized judge.

(Paragraph added on July 23, 1995; Act No. 4121) The electoral laws shall be drawn up
so as to reconcile the principles of fair representation and stability of the government.

(Paragraph added on October 3, 2001; Act No. 4709) Amendments to the electoral laws
shall not apply to the elections to be held within one year from the entry into force date of the amendments."

(EKN/VK)