Turkish election officials study US electoral process amid 2024 elections

Ahmet Yener, the President of Türkiye’s Supreme Election Council (YSK), has been observing the 2024 Presidential Elections in the United States, noting the process’s smooth and democratic conduct. Yener is in Washington, D.C., at the invitation of the U.S. National Election Assistance Commission, which has provided insights into the American electoral system since his arrival on November 3.

During a briefing on November 4, Yener and his team received a comprehensive presentation about the U.S. election system. “So far, we have seen the elections taking place in a very smooth manner,” Yener stated after visiting various polling places. He described how officials at the observed locations detailed the stages of the voting process.

This marks the first time the YSK has sent observers, including Yener and YSK member Ali Urker, to the U.S. elections.

Upon returning to Türkiye, Yener indicated that their observations would be discussed within the council to assess how the U.S. electoral system might inform Türkiye’s own practices.

Yener highlighted the YSK’s ongoing efforts to study electoral systems worldwide. He mentioned planned observations in several countries in 2024, including Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Maldives, Georgia, Moldova, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, and Russia.

Yener also noted participation in international symposiums held in Kazakhstan, Colombia, South Korea, and Poland, emphasizing the importance of leveraging these experiences to enhance Türkiye’s electoral system.

Specifically regarding the U.S., Yener expressed a keen interest in the electronic voting system and noted the use of mail-in ballots. He stated, “We will evaluate all these methods and consider which aspects can be adapted to our context in Türkiye.”

Yener stressed that their insights would help inform discussions on the potential benefits and drawbacks of electronic voting for Türkiye. He added that while the YSK will conduct preliminary studies, any final decisions would require legislative approval.

In the observer delegation alongside Turkish officials, representatives from Ukraine, Croatia, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan are also present, showcasing a collaborative effort to understand electoral processes globally.