Turkey's top election body assures foolproof measures

By Aylin Sirikli Dal

ANKARA (AA) - Turkish citizens will be able to see voting results from each province and district during the March 31 local elections, the top election authority said Thursday.

In an exclusive interview with Anadolu Agency, Sadi Guven, president of the Supreme Election Council, gave details of foolproof security measures taken for the polls.

He said the most important issue after the vote is the tabulated result with wet signatures in the ballot boxes.

"We have received physical security, but beyond that, we took measures regarding transparency of the election.

"The elections are held between the political parties and so they are the ones competing and conducting these elections," he added.

He underlined that at least five representatives from various political parties would preside over each ballot box in the districts.

"They will determine the results of the polls and resolve any objections in the first phase," he said.

The results of the elections will be published 10 days after votes are counted on the official website of the Supreme Election Council.

Guven added that no objections so far were recorded with regard to repeated voters or re-voting.

"As always the counting will be done by political parties," he said, adding the they have not received any complaint about poll results.

Turkey is gearing up with 57 million voters for local elections in which a total of 12 political parties will participate.

Turkish local polls are held every five years to elect mayors of 30 metropolitan municipalities and 51 provincial municipalities.

Voters will also elect municipal council members in cities and -- in rural areas -- muhtars and members of elder councils.

The ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) joined forces for the elections under the People’s Alliance banner.

Their opponents are the Nation Alliance, which is a bloc including the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) and Good (IYI) Party.

*Writing by Dilara Hamit