What Do Parties' Election Circulars Mean in Terms of Gender Equality?

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Ahead of the March 31 local elections, the Women's Coalition has examined the parties' election circulars in terms of gender equality.

The Coalition said that it examined the circulars of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), and the İYİ (Good) Party. It stated that it was not able to reach data from the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), the AKP's ally.

Parties examined under four titles

The Coalition examined the parties' circulars under four titles; "the parties' dues policies for candidacy applications", "dues for mayoral candidacy applications", "paperwork expenses for candidacy", and "principle conditions".

Dues policies for candidacy applications:

AKP: Women candidates pay half of the amount that men pay. Disabled candidates pay a quarter of what men pay.

CHP: Same with AKP regarding men and women, no dues for the "disabled and the relatives of the martyrs and veterans."

HDP: No dues for women and youth. In addition, the party does not charge those who were dismissed from their jobs upon the Statutory Decrees.

İYİ Party: Women and young candidates pay half of what men pay.

As for the mayoral candidacy application dues, in AKP, CHP and İYİ Party, women pay half of what men pay. In HDP, women can make an application without paying any charge.

Only CHP charges paperwork expenses from candidacy applicants.

Only AKP and HDP have principal conditions

Out of the four parties, only AKP and HDP state principal conditions for candidacies.

HDP: "Those who have not adopted the party's stance on women's freedom and principal of equal representation cannot be candidates for nomination. Those who used violence against women cannot be candidates for nomination. Those who are in a situation of polygamy cannot be candidates for nomination."

AKP: "Those who act as Chair and Board Member at the Women and Youth Branches have to resign to apply for nomination. Those who will apply for municipal councils do not have to resign." (EMK/VK)