Turkish expatriates will be able to vote in diplomatic missions overseas

The Supreme Election Board (YSK) has agreed to install ballot boxes at Turkish diplomatic missions abroad in a move to allow for 3.5 million Turkish expatriates to vote in national elections.

Overseas Turks Agency (TYB) Chairman Kemal Yurtnaç said the agency had drafted the bill with the YSK. "Our citizens have not been able to cast votes at embassies and consulates for years. We have prepared a draft bill in cooperation with the YSK," he said.

The Cabinet subsequently approved the draft bill to put ballot boxes in diplomatic missions. In an interview with Cihan news agency, YSK Deputy Director General Ayhan Okurer said the bill was submitted to the YSK and that the board agreed to the implementation of the new system of putting ballot boxes at diplomatic missions.

The bill is expected to be passed by Parliament. With the new system, Turkish citizens who live abroad will be able to cast votes at Turkish consulates and embassies. The voting will begin one month before election day in Turkey. Each voter will be given a date to visit the relevant mission and vote in an effort to avoid large crowds at the missions. A special registration system will be set up for these voters. Political parties will be able to follow the voting process in the missions if they wish. The ballot boxes will later be taken to Turkey and counted in the presence of political party and YSK observers.


/World Bulletin/