Turkish Presidential Elections under scrutiny as international observers face challenges and opposition voices election fraud concerns

ANKARA — Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) is encountering obstacles and criticism in its preparations for the upcoming presidential elections. The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) announced the deployment of a delegation of 100 election observers, joined by an additional 400 observers. However, the organization has expressed concerns over Turkey’s attempts to influence the structure of the delegation, citing statements made by Scandinavian deputies within their political capacities. The OSCE warns that such actions by Turkey could potentially impede the work of the international observer team.

These concerns arise against the backdrop of Turkey’s decision to bar Danish MP Soren Sondergaard (Red-Green Alliance) from entering the country due to his prior visit to North and East Syria, as well as the exclusion of Kadir Kasirga, a representative from the Swedish Social Democratic Workers Party, for his opposition to Turkish aggression in northern Syria.

In northeastern Turkey, an electoral rally held by the Republican People’s Party (CHP), led by Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, was marred by a violent incident in which a mob attacked the gathering with stones, resulting in injuries to nine individuals.

Turkey’s presidential and parliamentary elections are scheduled for 14 May. Incumbent President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has been in power for 20 years. His main opponent, Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, is backed by a coalition of six parties, the Table of Six coalition, amidst a tense atmosphere and increasing political violence.

The Table of Six coalition, the largest opposition electoral alliance in Turkey, fears that Erdogan’s AKP party may engage in electoral malpractice during the upcoming elections.

Unified in their demand for international observers, the Turkish opposition has expressed concerns over potential election fraud by the AKP. Reports indicate that approximately 500,000 observers, predominantly consisting of lawyers, will be deployed across the country.