Election process started for foreign voters, including Austria

2023-05-20 08:11:46

VIENNA. The excitement of the second round of the presidential election has begun. Citizens will be able to cast their votes at the ballot boxes established by the Supreme Election Board in Turkey’s 151 representative offices in 73 countries.

A total of 12 ballot boxes were placed in the two areas designated on the arrivals and departures floors at the international terminal of Istanbul Airport, which is Turkey’s largest border gate. Before voting, ballot box committee members took the oath. After the oath, the ballot box committee members counted the envelopes and ballot papers. Overseas voters cast their votes by presenting their passports and IDs as of 08:00. Foreign voters will be able to vote at the customs gates, especially at Istanbul Airport, until 17.00 on Sunday, May 28.

Voting in foreign representative offices can be made between 09.00 and 21.00 local time on weekdays and weekends, within the date range announced for that representative office, and between 09.00 and 18.00 local time in cities affiliated to the consulate generals. Overseas voters will be able to vote at any of the designated representative offices or at any customs gate where ballot boxes are established, and there will be no need for an appointment for this process.

COMING WITH DIPLOMATIC COURIER

After the end of the voting process abroad, the votes will be brought to Turkey by diplomatic couriers, under high security, with the methods determined by the YSK, as in the elections on 14 May.

These votes will be stored in the secure area at Ankara ATO Congresium Exhibition Center by the Presidency of the Overseas District Election Board. After the completion of the voting process in Turkey on Sunday, May 28 at 17.00, foreign votes will be counted together with the opening of other ballot boxes.

EXTENDED TIME ON OBJECTIONS

The shortening of the voting period in some countries, especially the USA, Canada, Australia, Ireland and the UK, caused criticism. CHP Deputy Chairman Muharrem Erkek, noting that the YSK changed the dates of the second round of voting announced on 14 March, filed an appeal. After the YSK objections; The USA, Canada, Australia, Ireland and the UK had ruled that voting would take place between May 20-24.