ODIHR final report on Turkish early presidential and parliamentary elections recommends amending and harmonizing election legislation in line with international standards

The final report by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) on Turkey’s 24 June early presidential and parliamentary elections, published on 21 September 2018, recommends a review of legislation to bring it in line with international obligations and standards for conducting democratic elections. The report also recommends lowering the threshold for parties to qualify for seat allocation and ensuring equality of the vote across constituencies. It further recommends making eligibility requirements for political parties to run in elections less restrictive.

The report notes that the authorities need to take necessary measures to ensure that the campaign is conducted in an atmosphere free from intimidation and fear of retribution, and to ensure a clear separation between the state and party.

To improve transparency, the report recommends that meetings of electoral boards be open to media and observers, and that preliminary election results be published immediately. An additional recommendation is to amend legislation to explicitly provide for the presence of observers, both international and citizen.

The report reiterates an earlier ODIHR recommendation that the authorities refrain from applying anti-terrorism legislation to prosecute journalists based solely on the content of their reporting, and that media outlets should be able to operate free from intimidation or pressure. In addition, the report recommends that laws and regulations be brought in line with international obligations on freedom of expression and media freedom.

To provide for an effective means of redress, the report recommends that decisions by the Supreme Board of Elections be subject to judicial review.

It also recommends training election commission members in the area of counting procedures and completion of protocols. To ensure that voters are able to vote freely, the report recommends that the police presence be limited to ensuring public order, and that only commission chairpersons have the authority to call the police into polling stations.

For election day observation, ODIHR joined efforts with the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.