Turkish election board issues list of parties contesting presidential, parliamentary elections

By Yusuf Soykan Bal

ANKARA (AA) - Türkiye's Supreme Election Council’s list of 36 parties which will participate in the presidential and parliamentary elections set for May 14, 2023 was published in the Official Gazette on Sunday.

The political parties to compete in the elections include; Justice and Development (AK) Party, Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), Grand Unity Party (BBP), Republican People's Party (CHP), Felicity Party (Saadet Partisi), Democracy and Progress Party, Future Party, Good (IYI) Party, Homeland Party, New Welfare Party, Democrat Party, Democratic Left Party, Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) and Communist Party of Türkiye.

Some practices and prohibitions for election day were also published in the Official Gazette.

The sale of alcoholic beverages will be prohibited from 6 a.m. local time (0300GMT) to 00.00 a.m. local time (2100GMT) on election day.

No one will be allowed to carry weapons except those who are responsible for maintaining security and order.

Media outlets are forbidden to make predictions and comments on the elections and their results until 6 p.m local time (1500GMT).

Media outlets will be able to publish news and communiques to be released by the election council, between 6 p.m. local time (1500GMT) and 9 p.m. local time (1800GMT).

After 9 p.m. local time (1800GMT) or earlier, broadcasters will be free to report on the election results.

The same provisions will be applied on May 28, which was determined as the date for a possible second round of presidential elections.

Voting is scheduled to start by 8.00 a.m. local time (0500GMT) and end by 5.00 p.m local time (1400GMT).