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Legal proceedings have been initiated against four people over election rigging attempts in the eastern Turkish province of Agri, the governor's office said on Sunday.
They include three people who attempted to cast fake votes and an opposition Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) observer for abetting them.
The accused attempted to cast votes using forged ballot papers, which they presumably copied from the internet, according to a statement.
Officials identified the fake papers as they were not carrying a seal by the election council.
As Turkey heads to the polls in a decisive election on Sunday, the Middle East holds it breath in anticipation of the results that promise to shape the future of the region. The oppressed people of Palestine, Syria, Iraq and Libya, who look to Turkey as a beacon of hope in a region rocked by turmoil and instability, hope that the June 24 presidential and parliamentary elections will tip the balance in favor of the disenfranchised people of the Middle East. Billboards went up across Kuwait, Qatar, Morocco, Algeria, among other countries in the region, showing support for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in the elections, while millions of social media users in Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the UAE prayed for the victory of Erdoğan and the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party.Ahmad Toma, former president of Syria’s interim government, said, “June 24 is not only Turkey's election but it's the hope of all the oppressed.”“We’re all Erdoğan”Placards that read, “We’re all Erdoğan” were raised during the events that followed U.S. President Donald Trump’s Jerusalem decision. Abu Ayman, the head of the Syrian Palestinian Delegation, pointed that even “the prospect of the region without Erdoğan would be a very grim landscape.”For the first time in Turkish history, political parties went to elections by forming alliances.Turkey’s ruling AK Party and the MHP formed an alliance (People’s Alliance) while the main opposition CHP, the IYI Party, and the Felicity Party constituted another (Nation Alliance).Video: Turkish President Erdoğan casts his vote in Istanbul‘The people of Iraq stand beside Turkey’ Kurds, Turkmens and Arabs in Iraq, which recently went to the polls in a disputed election, expressed their support for Erdoğan and the People’s Alliance.Ömer Aydoğdu, a leader from Iraq’s Turkmen Front, pointed that for the Iraqi people, the elections carry great importance when it comes to influencing the region’s destiny and foiling global ploys. With the exception of a minority who sympathizes with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) terror organization or sectarian fanatics, the majority of Iraqis stand beside the Turkish president, says Aydoğdu, who is also a Turkmen from Kirkuk. “Erdoğan was the lead actor that foiled the global ploy being staged during the Sept. 25 elections in northern Iraq.”Six candidates are running for president, while eight political parties are contending in Turkey’s parliamentary elections.In April, Parliament passed a bill calling for early elections on June 24, cementing Turkey’s move from a parliamentary to a presidential system. In an April 2017 referendum, Turkish voters approved the switch.Under the changes, the number of lawmakers in parliament rises from 550 to 600, presidential and parliamentary elections will be held every five years, and presidents can retain ties to their political party. The prime minister post is also abolished.Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has served as president since 2014, and is Turkey's first popularly-elected president. Before that, he served as prime minister from 2003 to 2014.Erdoğan would be Turkey's first leader to rule under the presidential system should he win the election.Turkish polls going on smoothly: Independent observerElection board assures election security in SE TurkeyErdoğan casts his vote for presidential, parliamentary elections
‘Turkey’s election is a source of hope for the region’s oppressed’
The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) said on Sunday that no discrepancies were reported during the elections so far.The delegation started its on-site observation in Lieutenant Kalmaz Primary School in capital Ankara.Speaking to reporters, Ambassador Audrey Glover, head of the election observer delegation, said they will continue following the polls closely till they end."There are no obstacles to the OSCE delegation, and we continue to observe the election in the methodology we employ all the time,” she said.The delegation will hold a press briefing at the Sheraton Hotel in Ankara at 3.00 p.m. local time (1200GMT) on Monday.Galeri: Presidential candidates, politicians cast votes in Turkey electionsTen foreigners posing as observers in Turkey’s elections to face trialElection board assures election security in SE TurkeyPortable ballot boxes go to sickly, elderly voters in Turkey elections for the first timeSome 415 observers from eight international organizations have been deployed to watch Turkey’s presidential and parliamentary elections.The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) has sent 234 observers, while the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCEPA) sent 72, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) deployed 35, and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PAM) sent 10 observers.
Turkish polls going on smoothly: Independent observer
Turkey's Supreme Election Council head on Sunday said judicial, administrative and legal steps have been taken regarding election security concerns in a district of southeastern Şanlıurfa province.Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Sadi Guven said: "Following reports [of security concerns], our Council initiated necessary judicial, legal and administrative steps."Guven's remarks came after there were allegations of lack of election security in Suruc district.Erdoğan casts his vote for presidential, parliamentary electionsPortable ballot boxes go to sickly, elderly voters in Turkey elections for the first timeFemale presidential candidate Akşener votes in Turkey electionsHe added that elections across Turkey are ongoing peacefully, drawing a good voter turnout.Turkish voters are casting their votes in presidential and parliamentary elections.Voting started at 8.00 a.m. local time (0500GMT) and will continue through 5.00 p.m. local time (1400GMT).
Election board assures election security in SE Turkey
"Legal proceedings have been initiated against the people who attempted to cast the fake ballot papers and an HDP observer who stealthily placed the fake ballot papers into their pockets," said the governor's office.
Voting started at 8.00 a.m. local time (0500GMT) and will continue through 5.00 p.m. local time (1400GMT).