Two members of Turkey's top election body criticize Erdo?an's role in campaigns

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an is engaging in ?political propaganda? by targeting certain parties, two members of Turkey?s top election body have concluded.

The Supreme Election Board (YSK) had rejected appeals from the main opposition Republican People?s Party (CHP), the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), the Peoples? Democratic Party (HDP) and the Vatan (Homeland) Party earlier this month. 

The parties had asked the YSK to ensure principles of fair broadcasting before the June 7 general elections, claiming that recent speeches of Erdo?an, who should act ?impartially? as president, had violated the constitution by ?delivering partisan speeches? in support of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).
Although the YSK rejected all appeals against Erdo?an, two members of the 11-person body opposed the latest decision, according to a report by daily Cumhuriyet on May 15. 

Unforeseen violation

The two members, Ünal Demirci and Ahmet Tuncay, stressed in their opposing votes that the constitution stipulates that the president must remain neutral, but does not lay out what legal sanction is applied if he campaigns for or against a party. The legislator had simply not foreseen such a violation being made by the president.

Still, the two members argued, the Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) can and should ?ensure the rule of law? by ensuring that Erdo?an?s ?propaganda speeches? do not break the rules of fair election broadcasting.

According to the report prepared by Süleyman Demirkan, who was elected to the RTÜK as a member from the CHP, Turkish TV stations broadcast Erdo?an?s live speeches for a total of 44 hours and 32 minutes from April 27 to May 3.

?Double-headed campaign?