Türkiye sets stage for key 2024 local elections

Over 61 million eligible voters anticipated to participate in the voting process on March 31 to decide the country’s fate for the next five years

Türkiye is set to witness the participation of 61.44 million registered voters, including 1.03 million young voters casting their votes for the first time.

A country-wide distribution of 206,000 ballot boxes will allow candidates from 34 political parties to participate in the elections.

The electoral process will determine the mayoral positions in 81 provinces, 973 districts and 390 towns and over 50,000 mukhtars (local leaders).

Voters will also play a role in selecting members for provincial and municipal councils. 

Voters will elect metropolitan mayors, district mayors, municipal council members and mukhtars in metropolitan areas comprising 30 cities.

Meanwhile, non-metropolitan regions will witness votes for provincial council members, district mayors, municipal council members and mukhtars.

Rural villages will focus on electing provincial council members and mukhtars. 

Considering regional circumstances and sunset times, the Supreme Election Council (YSK) has changed voting hours in 32 eastern provinces.

Citizens in these provinces will vote between 7:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., differing from the standard 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. schedule. 

Türkiye’s Supreme Election Council (YSK) has arranged the order of political parties on the ballot papers after 36 parties were initially qualified.

Two parties have withdrawn and another has rebranded, changing the electoral landscape. 

Noteworthy is the absence of the Party for Change in Türkiye (TDP) from the upcoming elections, following its merger with the Republican People’s Party (CHP) in June, under the leadership of current CHP lawmaker Mustafa Sarigul. 

The ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) has secured the top position on the ballot, while the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) occupies the 18th spot.

The ruling coalition partner, the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), appears in the 31st spot, with the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) claiming the ninth position. 

The Good Party (IYI Party) is second on the ballot paper, with the Democracy and Progress Party (DEVA) in 33rd place.

Notably, the Felicity Party (SP Party) and the Future Party (GP) are ranked 34th and 16th, respectively. 

Source: Newsroom