High turnover of public will. Compass of democracy. Guide of politics…
The first thing that comes to mind when participation in governance is mentioned is elections…
Election turnout rates determine the functioning of democracy.
Turnout rates in Western democracies have been declining in recent years…
But the situation in Turkey is different…
Elections are the focus of competition in politics. The ballot box is a symbol of the sovereignty that belongs unconditionally to the people. The Turkish nation, by going to the polls, is defending the national sovereignty it has achieved at great cost. Turkey stands out with high turnout rates in elections.
Since the first election in 1950, where secret voting and open counting method was implemented, voters have been coming out to the polls.
3 presidential elections, 20 general elections were held.
The average participation rate exceeded 82 percent.
The highest participation general election took place in 1987 with 93 percent turnout.
Following the interruption of democracy by coups, the first election was held in 1983.
The turnout rate was recorded as 92 percent…
Turkey’s highest turnout general elections
1 – 1987: 93.3 percent
2 – 1983: 92.3 percent
3 – 1950: 89.3 percent
4 – 2023: 88.9 percent
5 – 1954: 88.6 percent
In Turkey, the constitution defines the right to vote as a duty as well.
But it’s not just this definition that increases interest in the ballot box.
The turnout rate, which is also an indicator of voter reflexes, reveals expectations regarding the country’s politics.
Channel 7 Ankara Representative Mehmet Acet said, “There have been coups, transitions back to democracy after coups, and during these periods our citizens, our people wanted to send a message through the ballot box, always to the guardians of the coup plotters. The Turkish society has reflected this clear message in the ballot box.”
In local government elections, the first single-tier election where candidates were directly voted in was held in 1963.
Since then, 12 local elections have been held.
On March 27, 1994, Turkey entered a turning point in its political life.
That year witnessed one of the most competitive municipal elections after 1980.
And President Recep Tayyip Erdogan solidified his place in politics by winning the Istanbul Mayorship.
91.8 percent of voters went to the polls, making 1994 the year with the highest turnout in local elections.
In 2014, voters also expressed their will with a high turnout of 89 percent.
Turkey’s highest turnout local elections
1 – 1994: 91.8 percent
2 – 2014: 89.1 percent
3 – 1999: 86.9 percent
4 – 1984: 85.3 percent
5 – 2009: 85.1 percent
Participation in local elections, the first address of political and democratic experience, is of special importance…
Mehmet Acet stated:
“People perceive municipalities as the first address in their relationship with the state and state institutions. When they need something, the first names that come to mind to ask are politicians and local officials. Therefore, this interaction becomes stronger during election periods.”
High turnout in elections is also part of the trust in the ballot box and the results.
The ballot box and the will of the people continue to be the cornerstone of Turkey’s democratic tradition.
NEWS: Ahmet Çakıcı
