The Turkish parliament today passed a law reviewing electoral regulations, passing a controversial bill that the opposition says could allow fraud and jeopardize fair elections in 2019.
Following the announcement by Parliament Vice President Aise Nur Bahcekapili of the result of the vote, a confrontation broke out between the nationalist MPs and those from the main opposition party. Some deputies exchanged punches, started pushing and chasing in the hall.
The legislation formally allows for electoral alliances, paving the way for a union between President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and its nationalist allies.
The law was widely expected to pass, given its support from the AKP and the nationalist Nationalist Movement Party (MHP).
However, critics of the government have sounded the alarm for him.
This law authorizes the Supreme Electoral Commission to merge constituencies and move polling stations to other areas.
The ballots will be accepted without the seal of the local election commission, finalizing a decision made during last year's referendum, which had sparked outcry from critics of the government, as well as concern among election observers.
The law will also allow members of the security forces to enter polling stations when called by a voter, to the extent that, according to the government, intimidation by the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) will be eliminated. ) in the southeastern part of Turkey, where the majority of the population is Kurdish.
Opposition lawmakers, including those from the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), have said the presence of security forces at polling stations could be used to make the vote count less transparent.
The pro-Kurdish People's Democratic Party (HDP) has also reacted, saying the measures could lead to the removal of ballot boxes from areas where it has strong support.