Despite certain deficiencies observed in the electoral campaign, local elections in Türkiye were overall well organised and respected the will of the people - these were the preliminary findings of the election observation mission of the Council of Europe Congress of Local and Regional Authorities.
At the invitation of the authorities of Türkiye, the Congress deployed a mission to observe the local elections held on 31 March 2024 throughout the country. The Congress mission was led by Mr David ERAY (Switzerland, EPP/CCE) and involved 26 Congress observers including 19 Congress members, one expert and five members of the Secretariat, from overall 16 countries.
The deployment on the ground on election day was preceded by preparatory meetings online on 7-8 March and in Ankara on 29-30 March, with the Supreme Electoral Council and representatives of the ministries of interior and of the Environment, urbanisation and climate change. The Congress delegation further met media and NGO representatives, as well as candidates and representatives of various political parties.
On Election Day, 11 Congress teams were deployed to different districts across the country. "Election Day was overall calm and organised in a professional manner, with a high turnout showing a strong commitment of citizens to democratic processes. We acknowledge the logistical organisation that made it possible to handle the large number of voters in a smooth process," stated David ERAY, at the press conference in Ankara on 1 April.
"The election results showed that the alternation in power between political parties is possible through the expression of the will of the people and their commitment to local representative democracy," stated Vladimir PREBILIC (Slovenia, SOC/G/PD), Deputy Head of the delegation.
The Congress draft report and recommendation will be submitted for adoption at the 47th Congress session in October 2024.
