Voter stamps himself on forehead to protest elections

MANİSA – Doğan News Agency

A Turkish voter in the Aegean province of Manisa stamped himself in the forehead rather than the ballot paper to protest the elections, in which he said he had no faith. 

Bora Benli, a veterinary in Manisa, went to the polling station, where he was registered to cast his vote, but instead stamped himself with the “Evet” (Yes) stamp, which is used to mark the choice on the ballot paper, on the forehead in protest at politics in the country. 

Stating that he had not cast his vote for any of the political parties or independent deputy candidates, Benli answered questions coming from curious people outside of the school where he voted, saying he did not trust politics in Turkey.  

“I do not like politics in Turkey. I do not trust any of the [party/independent candidates]. I trust myself. That is why I stamped myself in the forehead,” Benli said right after casting his vote at the April 23 National Independence Elementary School in the Yunusemre district of the province.