YSK (Higher Electoral Board) have not permitted ÖDP and 12 independent candidates enter elections.
YSK (Higher Electoral Board) have not permitted ÖDP and 12 independent candidates enter elections. Seven of the vetoed independent candidates are supported by the Labour, Democracy and Freedom block which forms the body of BDP. YSK as a rationale stated the past convictions and not presenting a document for ‘restitution of prohibited rights’.* Candidates believing the decision to be an intervention on the electoral rights, are considering withdrawal. There were street demonstrations in various towns. In İstanbul marching from Taksim to Aksaray molotov coctails were thrown at a post office in Unkapanı, a notary and fire engines in response the police used gas bombs. In Diyarbakır the work machines formed into barricades were smashed by the riot police. The windshields were shattered with batons and rocks, tires were slashed with bayonettes. In Bismil the crowd was fired on and 5 persons were injured and 17 year old İbrahim Oruç died.
On the 21st of April YSK gave 6 of the 7 candidates their visas for the election declaring that *they have presented the required documents. Ertuğrul Kürkçü as one of the Labour Democracy and Freedom block’s candidates observed the decision to be a result of the democratic response. And Aysel Tuğluk said “Unfortunately YSK has not stepped back before the death of a citizen.”
(*) as there is a new law that annules the old rulings, the courts had deemed unnecessary to present the demanded documents however since YSK insisted, they have obliged. Also Sebahat Tuncel’s conviction of 1 year has been reduced to 6 months hastily, she can thus participate in the elections. In mere two days, throwing the land into turmoil, YSK still insists that the decisions were not political.
22.04.2011