Twelve Kurdish municipalities reportedly fell to the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) due to the deployment of transported military and police voters, according to claims by Turkey’s pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party, which is preparing to contest these election results vigorously.
“Thousands of transported military and police votes have swung at least 12 city and district municipalities in favour of the AKP-MHP,” the DEM Party disclosed, pointing to an orchestrated effort to influence election outcomes in Kurdish regions. The party announced it had identified 46,901 transported voters across 31 centres, including Şırnak (Şirnex) and Hakkari (Colemêrg), on election day.
The controversial tactic reportedly did not deter the DEM Party from securing victories in many centres. However, it led to AKP wins in critical areas due to the votes of transported military and police personnel. Unofficial results suggest the operation extended to at least 30 towns.
A breakdown of the impacted areas reveals narrow margins of victory, underscoring the potential influence of transported voters. For instance, in Batman (Êlih), Gercüş (Kercews), a mere 54 votes separated the AKP from the DEM Party, with 274 transported voters reported. Similarly, in Diyarbakir (Amed), Eğil (Gêl) and Diyarbakir, Hazro (Hezro), the difference was 217 and 371 votes, respectively, with substantial numbers of transported voters involved.
The DEM Party has announced plans to contest these election results, emphasising the undermining of democratic integrity through the transportation of voters.
Breakdown of impacted municipalities
Batman (Êlih), Gercüş (Kercews)
AKP: 1,360
DEM Party: 1,306
Difference: 54
Transported Voters: 274
Diyarbakır, Eğil (Gêl)
AKP: 4,589
DEM Party: 4,372
Difference: 217
Transported Voters: 1,129
Diyarbakır, Hazro (Hezro)
AKP: 4,083
DEM Party: 3,712
Difference: 371
Transported Voters: 797
Hakkari (Colemêrg), Çukurca (Çelê)
AKP: 1,506
DEM Party: 1,404
MHP: 883
Victory Party: 405
CHP: 379
Difference: 102
Transported Voters: 3,235
Hakkari, Esendere (Gever/Bajêrge)
AKP: 1,022
DEM Party: 531
Difference: 491
Transported Voters: 953
Hakkari, Şemdinli (Şemzînan)
AKP: 4,064
DEM Party: 3,739
Difference: 325
Transported Voters: 1,886
Kars (Qers), Central
Mhp: 16,384
DEM Party: 13,120
Difference: 3,264
Transported Voters: 3,842
Mardin (Mêrdîn), Savur (Stewr)
AKP: 6,015
DEM Party: 5,248
Difference: 767
Transported Voters: 978
Siirt (Sêrt), Eruh (Dihê)
AKP: 2,857
DEM Party: 2,125
Difference: 732
Transported Voters: 1,071
Şırnak, Beytüşşebap (Elkê)
AKP: 2,169
DEM Party: 1,215
Difference: 954
Transported Voters: 828
Şırnak, Central
AKP: 18,033
DEM Party: 15,553
Difference: 2,480
Transported Voters: 6,541
Şırnak, Uludere (Qileban)
AKP: 2,681
DEM Party: 2,575
Difference: 106
Transported Voters: 1,409
