A controversial decision by Turkey’s district election board to disqualify Democracy and Equality Party (DEM) candidates Mehmet Nuri Güneş and Emine Yöndem Kartal from running for co-mayor in the upcoming local elections on 31 March has sparked major unrest in the country’s easternmost province of Iğdır (Îdir).
The rejection of Güneş and Kartal’s candidacy, which has been blamed on pressure from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), has sparked outrage in the predominantly Kurdish-majority city.
Angry supporters of the DEM party gathered outside the election office in Iğdır, denouncing the decision as politically motivated.
“There were no previous objections to the candidates who have now been rejected,” the demonstrators said, suggesting a deliberate attempt to prevent the candidates’ participation due to their obvious popularity.
Despite Güneş’ previous conviction for membership of an illegal organisation, he had served his sentence and had his full rights restored by the court, making him eligible to stand.
Representatives of the DEM Party said they would appeal the decision to Turkey’s High Election Board (YSK), pointing to the disqualification of the party’s other co-mayoral candidates.