Kurdish politician MP Kemal Aktaş has condemned the recent election irregularities in Van (Wan), attributing them to Turkish colonialism.
Speaking to Medya Haber TV on Tuesday, Aktaş, a former Van deputy, stated that the violations of law occurring post-election are a direct consequence of colonial logic. “What’s happening right now are the results of colonial logic, of colonialism. It’s seizure, plunder, occupation, annexation, takeover,” Aktaş asserted.
Aktaş’s remarks come amidst a heated dispute over the candidacy of Abdullah Zeydan, the elected co-mayor of Van from the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM Party). Despite being confirmed as a candidate by the Supreme Election Council (YSK), Zeydan’s candidacy has been challenged.
DEM Party officials revealed that the Justice Ministry lodged a last-minute objection to Zeydan’s candidacy just five minutes before the end of office hours on Friday, leading to the reversal of his previously granted candidacy rights.
The DEM Party has strongly criticised this move, highlighting the disregard for legal decisions and the democratic process. According to the party’s statement, the Justice Ministry’s objection led to the nullification of Zeydan’s candidacy rights by the court, despite the decision having been previously finalised and Zeydan having passed all legal scrutiny.
The incident has sparked outrage among Kurdish political circles, with many seeing it as part of a broader pattern of disenfranchisement and suppression of Kurdish voices. As Van constituents take to the streets in protest, the DEM Party vows to challenge the decision and uphold democratic principles in the face of what they perceive as deliberate attempts to undermine Kurdish representation.
