New developments have emerged following the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party’s (DEM Party) allegations of voter manipulation by the Turkish government in Kurdish-majority regions. DEM Party Iğdır MP Yılmaz Hun hosted a press conference on Monday in Iğdır (Îdir), revealing additional evidence to support claims of the ruling Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) voter transfer strategy for the upcoming 31 March municipal elections.
Hun detailed how the AKP, allegedly unable to secure victories in Kurdish areas through fair elections, has resorted to transferring voters to influence the electoral outcomes. He pointed out that many of the relocated voters reside abroad and have never visited Iğdır, raising questions about the legitimacy of their inclusion in the local voter lists. Hun also criticised the involvement of the Iğdır Governor in AKP events, blurring the lines between administrative duties and political affiliations.
As part of their response, the DEM Party is committed to using all legal avenues to challenge these practices. Hun’s appeal to the High Election Council (YSK) emphasised the need for a thorough investigation into the allegations and called for the support of civil society organisations and political parties in Iğdır to stand against this democratic transgression.
Concerns over alleged voter registration manipulations by the Turkish government in Kurdish-majority districts were first raised in December 2023 by Mehmet Rüştü Tiryaki, DEM Party’s Deputy Co-chair for Municipalities. Based on a comprehensive study, he unveiled evidence of this during a press conference, suggesting a strategic attempt by the AKP to sway the 2024 local elections.
Tiryaki pointed out suspicious registrations, particularly of young male voters, security personnel, police officers and soldiers in key districts. This move is seen as an attempt to influence the results in areas where the DEM Party and its predecessors have traditionally held significant support.
