Presidential polls in Turkey
Turkish Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan ruled the country for 12 years in a row. In consideration of the political realities there, he tried to continue his power-hold in the country. So, he decided to contest the presidential election held on 10 August in 2014 and was elected by a majority of the votes.
The critics fear return an autocratic rule in the country, which could have been avoided. However, there is so far no allegation of vote rigging and unfairmeans in the election. Incumbent Premier Erdogan won because the country’s economy is better now and he made many remarkable reforms in last 12 year, overriding the military, judicial and administrative barricades.
The Law on Presidential Elections accepted and put into effect on 20 January 2012 decided that presidential elections will be held in 2014 instead of 2012; within 60 days before the end of the seven-year term of incumbent President of Turkey Abdullah Gül, who will be the last indirectly elected President of Turkey. As Gül took office on 28 August 2007, the first possible day could be 29 June, but a date between 10 and 17 August is considered more reasonable.
It was decided in the same law that former Presidents Kenan Evren, Süleyman Demirel, Ahmet Necdet Sezer and incumbent Abdullah Gül could not be nominated for a second term, but this was ruled unconstitutional by the Constitutional Court of Turkey, allowing them to run for a second term. Also, the Prime Minister of Turkey could be nominated for the presidency without having to resign from his post.
The presidential elections campaign were declared to be held in an “American manner”, where candidates could accept personal donations for their campaigns; however, one person could not donate more than 8,259 TL (approximately US$4,500) to a campaign. We congratulate Erdogan for his victory.
Amjad Ahmed Khan
Mirpur, Dhaka.
