The Turkish government systematically manipulated the recent elections in Şırnak (Şirnex) to ensure control over the municipality, argued Bêrîvan Kutlu, nominee from the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party.
In an in-depth interview with Infowelat.com on Friday, Bêrîvan Kutlu detailed various tactics used by the Turkish government, including importing votes, deploying soldiers to vote and scheduling conflicts to prevent local students and workers from voting. These actions, according to Kutlu, are part of a broader strategy to suppress the Kurdish identity and autonomy by controlling important regions like Şırnak through undemocratic means.
“The deployment of soldiers and external votes directly undermined the democratic process, with the government’s tactics starkly visible to all,” Kutlu explained, regarding the elections in Şırnak, traditionally a stronghold of Kurdish identity and resistance.
Kutlu recounted how meetings before the elections revealed plans to bolster the ruling Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) chances artificially by importing votes. These actions were challenged, yet the state’s influence was overwhelmingly evident as they even scheduled university exams to coincide with election day, preventing many students from voting.
This manipulation extended to the migrated workforce of Şırnak, with many unable to return for voting due to logistical constraints imposed by their employers. “About 3,000 of our potential voters, including students and workers, were systematically obstructed from casting their votes,” Kutlu added.
In response to these challenges, Kutlu called for a robust legal and diplomatic response. “We must not only challenge these actions legally but also bring them to the attention of international human rights bodies,” she stated. The DEM Party is planning to intensify its efforts in advocating for Şırnak and other affected areas on an international stage.
During the 31 March local elections in Şırnak, a striking scene unfolded as long queues of soldiers, reportedly brought in from other provinces, were visibly stationed at polling stations. These soldiers, transported openly by buses and dropped off directly in front of the election centres, became a potent symbol of the allegations made by the DEM Party.
In confrontational exchanges, DEM Party candidates questioned these young men about their origins, to which many responded by hiding their faces. Additionally, local Kurdish citizens expressed vehement opposition to what they perceived as a usurpation of their will. A video that went viral featured an elderly Kurdish man challenging each soldier entering the polling station, demanding, “Where are you from? Speak up, where have you come from?”
🔴 #LIVEBLOG | There have been increasing reports of the ruling #AKP's involvement in organising the transport of soldiers and police from other regions to vote in #Kurdish-majority areas. Residents of #Şırnak (Şirnex) react to transported voters.
⤵️ https://t.co/s3kkQZ0usG pic.twitter.com/4C61u6vtzn
— MedyaNews (@medyanews_) March 31, 2024
