Turkish Expatriates Begin Voting for Presidential, Parliamentary Elections
(MENAFN) Turkish expatriates in four countries, including Finland, Sweden, Qatar, and Lebanon, have started voting for the presidential and parliamentary elections that will take place in Türkiye on May 14th. Eligible Turkish voters in Finland have seven days, from May 1st to May 7th, to cast their votes at polling stations open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. local time. Türkiye's Ambassador to Finland, Deniz Cakar, has expressed satisfaction with the interest shown by Turkish citizens and stated that balloting committees are ready and observers are monitoring the electoral process.
Meanwhile, in Alvsjo, Sweden, 42,800 Turkish voters can cast their ballots until May 7th. Türkiye's Ambassador to Sweden, Yonet Can Tezel, has reported that long lines formed on the first day of voting, which began on Monday morning at 9 a.m. local time and will continue until Sunday. In Qatar, 10,868 Turkish expatriates are eligible to vote at the Turkish Embassy in Doha until May 7th for the elections scheduled for May 14th in Türkiye. Polling stations opened at 9 a.m. local time and will remain open until 9 p.m. local time.
In Lebanon, 8,336 Turkish expatriates are registered voters and have until May 7th to cast their ballots. Türkiye's Ambassador to Lebanon, Ali Baris Ulusoy, has stated that all preparations have been made for citizens to vote safely.
On May 14th, voters in Türkiye will choose between four presidential candidates, including President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is seeking re-election, Muharrem Ince, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, and Sinan Ogan. Additionally, 24 political parties and 151 independent candidates are vying for seats in the 600-member Turkish parliament. Approximately 3.41 million Turkish citizens are eligible to vote abroad, where voting has already begun in some countries, with nearly 278,000 of them voting for the first time.
The participation of Turkish expatriates in the elections is crucial, as their votes could potentially impact the outcome of the elections. Turkish citizens living abroad have been encouraged to vote by various political parties and organizations, with many expatriates expressing their desire to participate in the democratic process. The successful organization of polling stations and the smooth conduct of the voting process in various countries demonstrate the efforts of Türkiye's authorities to ensure the fair and transparent conduct of the elections.
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