CHP applies to election board to restrict Erdoğan rallies before elections

ANKARA

CİHAN Photo

Republican People’s Party (CHP) deputy chairman Bülent Tezcan applied to the Supreme Election Board (YSK) on May 28 to restrict collective inaugurations and public speaking engagements of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan as part of electoral prohibitions.

Tezcan also asked for restrictions on the broadcasting of those gatherings, the CHP press office said in a written statement.

In his petition, Tezcan cited Erdoğan’s scheduled collective inaugurations and public speaking engagements in Nevşehir, Adana, Hatay, Manisa and a joint gathering with Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu on May 30 to commemorate the conquest of Istanbul.

CHP deputy Oğuz Oyan filed a complaint to the Constitutional Court on May 27, accusing Erdoğan of not obeying the principle of impartiality, following a rejection of his party’s appeal to the YSK.

Erdoğan has been holding rallies as part of collective inaugurations in various provinces as a way to influence the elections, even though this is against the constitution, Oyan told reporters after he submitted the petition. 

In its appeal filed on May 6, the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) asked the YSK to warn the office of the presidency about “holding the elections in line with the principle of impartiality and making sure that principles of fair broadcasting are applied.” 

The YSK, however, unanimously rejected the HDP’s appeal late May 6.

The CHP also took a similar initiative on May 6, appealing to the country’s media watchdog. In its appeal, the CHP said Erdoğan was violating the constitution by “delivering partisan speeches.” The main opposition party’s appeal was also rejected.