A European delegation described the recent local elections in Turkey as “a far cry from democracy”, especially in the Kurdish-majority regions, citing serious rights violations and the influence of transported military and police personnel on the voting process.
According to Zelal Zalatustra, a member of the delegation, the presence of military personnel voting in civilian areas and the lack of seals on ballot boxes represented major breaches of electoral integrity.
The delegation, comprising members from France, Switzerland, Germany and Lithuania, faced various obstructions while observing the elections in areas such as Şırnak (Şirnex), Uludere (Qileban). They noted instances of voter intimidation by uniformed military personnel and unsealed ballot boxes, which they deemed significant violations.
Sosin Sonnenberg, another delegate, expressed concern over the election’s fairness, highlighting allegations of vote-buying by the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the potential injustice should the AKP win the Uludere municipality.