Emphasis on “lack of confidence” in OSCE election report
The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), which visited Turkey for the 28th term presidential and parliamentary elections, released its interim report.
The Electoral Observation Mission (SGH), a branch of the ODIHR, will follow the elections with a team of 42 people until May 29.
According to the Euronews Turkish story, the 16-page report of the observer delegation draws attention to the steps taken towards press freedom, the right to vote for earthquake victims and the HDP. In the report, it is claimed that there is a lack of trust because the Supreme Board of Elections (YSK) does not properly disclose all its decisions to the public.
‘DISCONFIDENCE ABOUT THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE JUDICIAL BRANCH’
The highlights of the election security report are as follows:
– “The YSK and other district electoral boards held special sessions that were not open to the public and did not disclose all their decisions to the public, although it was a legal obligation. Some of the interlocutors of the EOM ODIHR stated that there is a general distrust in the independence of the judiciary and their concern about re-elections in the electoral boards of the middle districts, and the lack of transparency in some of the work and operations of the boards elections, and stated that his confidence in the electoral administration is at different levels.”
– “Despite ODIHR’s long-standing recommendation in this direction, the path to the courts is closed against YSK decisions regarding the final results of the elections. The current legal framework does not allow complaints about the electoral campaign.
‘PRESSURE ON POLITICAL PARTIES’
– “Some of the interlocutors of the political parties of the ODIHR EOM in Turkey stated that physical and administrative barriers were placed against campaign activities, as well as that state officials exerted pressure on supporters of said party”.
– “The EOM ODIHR did not observe any restriction of freedom derived from the exercise of powers of exception during the three months of the State of Emergency declared after the earthquakes. However, the use of the power of governors to limit rights and freedoms for counter-terrorism and public security purposes has affected campaign opportunities in some eastern and southeastern provinces.
– “Interviews conducted in the earthquake zone indicated that if the registration period for the election were longer, voters who had changed locations would have been able to update their addresses.”
– “Although some of the interviews conducted by the EOM ODIHR did not raise concerns about the veracity of the electoral rolls, some added that there is a possibility that voters lost in the earthquake are on the electoral rolls.”
-“Concerns were expressed about the decision of the Council of Higher Education to continue with face-to-face education, which was taken towards the end of the voter registration process.”
– “The interlocutors of the EOM ODIHR pointed out that websites are frequently blocked, content removal is requested, and legal restrictions on freedom of expression are used. Despite ODIHR’s earlier recommendations, defamation remains a criminal offense and is often used against critical journalists. Concerns were also expressed about the independence and impartiality of RTÜK”.