Minister Yerlikaya makes 'election security' statement regarding local elections. He had previously asked for votes for Murat Kurum

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya, who had taken to the field to ask for votes for AKP's Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality candidate Murat Kurum, made statements today regarding 'election security'.

In his speech, delivered six days before the local elections, Yerlikaya stated that an Election Operations Center had been established within the General Command of the Gendarmerie and the General Directorate of Security to ensure the elections are completed securely.

Yerlikaya noted that similar centers have been established in the provinces.

The Interior Minister also emphasized that all necessary security measures have been taken.

Yerlikaya stated that on December 12, 2023, they sent a circular regarding election measures to the governorships of all 81 provinces through the General Directorate of Provincial Administration.

Stating that the circular explicitly detailed the necessity of conducting elections in peace and security, preventing any disruptions, and meticulously following and acting upon the decisions of election boards, Yerlikaya continued his remarks as follows:

"Within the scope of the circular, an Election Coordination Commission was established under the chairmanship of our Deputy Minister to primarily ensure coordination and cooperation among all institutions tasked during the election process, to review election-related measures nationwide, and to facilitate the real-time sharing of election-related incidents and the development of preventive measures. An Election Operations Center was established within our Ministry's Security and Emergency Coordination Center, the General Command of the Gendarmerie, and the General Directorate of Security. In our provinces, Provincial Election Coordination Centers were formed within GAMER, chaired by a deputy governor and consisting of members designated by the governors."

Stating that Election Security Meetings were held with the participation of provincial governors, provincial gendarmerie commanders, provincial police chiefs, and other relevant unit officials, Yerlikaya reported that provincial election security plans were prepared in line with the risk analyses conducted during these meetings.

"WE HAVE EMERGED FROM GENERAL AND LOCAL ELECTIONS BY CROWNING OUR DEMOCRACY"

Minister Yerlikaya explained that in addition to these efforts, they have organized meetings with governors regarding election security and held evaluation meetings with officials from the Supreme Election Council (YSK).

Reporting that meetings on cybersecurity were held under the coordination of the YSK with the participation of representatives from the General Directorate of Provincial Administration, the Gendarmerie General Command, and the General Directorate of Security, Yerlikaya stated that the necessary measures have been determined.

Stating that Election Security Coordination Meetings have been held every week since the end of February with the participation of representatives from the National Intelligence Organization (MIT), the General Directorate of Provincial Administration, the Gendarmerie General Command, and the General Directorate of Security, Yerlikaya noted the following:

"Thank God, we have emerged from all the general and local elections we have held as a country by crowning our democracy. Last year, we experienced two major elections: the May 14 presidential and parliamentary elections and the May 28 presidential election. As a country, the will of our people was reflected in the ballot box in these elections as well, with a record turnout reaching nearly 90 percent. Now, we have the March 31 local elections ahead of us. We are taking, and will continue to take, every kind of measure from A to Z within the boundaries of a state of law, together with our governorships, our gendarmerie, our police, and all our law enforcement forces, so that each of our 85 million citizens can go to the polls with peace of mind and the national will can be reflected in the ballot box."

For the March 31 local elections, a total of 594,000 personnel have been assigned within the scope of election security, including 324,000 from the General Directorate of Security, 197,000 from the Gendarmerie General Command, 2,850 from the Coast Guard Command, 53,000 security guards, and 17,000 volunteer security guards. We are keeping our helicopters, aircraft, and UAVs/UAVs belonging to our law enforcement units ready for duty." Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya, who had taken to the field to ask for votes for AKP's Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality candidate Murat Kurum, made statements today regarding 'election security'.

In his speech, delivered six days before the local elections, Yerlikaya said that an Election Operations Center had been established within the Gendarmerie General Command and the General Directorate of Security to ensure the elections are completed securely.

Yerlikaya stated that centers have also been established in the provinces.

The Interior Minister also emphasized that all necessary security measures have been taken.

Yerlikaya stated that on December 12, 2023, they sent a circular regarding election measures to the governorships of all 81 provinces through the General Directorate of Provincial Administration.

Stating that the circular explicitly detailed the necessity of ensuring elections are held in peace and security, preventing any disruptions, and meticulously following and acting upon the decisions of election boards, Yerlikaya continued his remarks as follows:

"Within the scope of the circular, an Election Coordination Commission was established under the chairmanship of our Deputy Minister, primarily to ensure coordination and cooperation among all institutions tasked during the election process, to review election-related measures nationwide, and to facilitate the real-time sharing of election-related incidents and the development of preventive measures. An Election Operations Center was established within our Ministry's Security and Emergency Coordination Center (GAMER), the Gendarmerie General Command, and the General Directorate of Security. Provincial Election Coordination Centers were formed in our provinces under the leadership of a deputy governor and consisting of members determined by the governors within the structure of GAMER."

Stating that Election Security Meetings were held with the participation of provincial governors, provincial gendarmerie commanders, provincial police chiefs, and other relevant unit officials, Yerlikaya reported that provincial election security plans were prepared in line with the risk analyses conducted at these meetings.

"WE HAVE EMERGED FROM GENERAL AND LOCAL ELECTIONS BY CROWNING OUR DEMOCRACY"

Minister Yerlikaya explained that in addition to these efforts, they held meetings with governors regarding election security and also conducted evaluation meetings with officials from the Supreme Election Council (YSK) presidency.

Reporting that meetings on cybersecurity were also held under the coordination of the YSK presidency with the participation of representatives from the General Directorate of Provincial Administration, the Gendarmerie General Command, and the General Directorate of Security, Yerlikaya stated that the necessary measures to be taken have been determined.

Stating that Election Security Coordination Meetings have been held every week since the end of February with the participation of representatives from the National Intelligence Organization (MİT), the General Directorate of Provincial Administration, the Gendarmerie General Command, and the General Directorate of Security, Yerlikaya noted the following:

"Thank God, we have emerged from all the general and local elections we have held as a country to date by crowning our democracy. Last year, we experienced two major elections: the May 14 presidential and parliamentary elections and the May 28 presidential election. As a country, the will of our people was reflected in the ballot box in these elections as well, with a record turnout reaching 90 percent. Now, we have the March 31 local elections ahead of us. We are taking, and will continue to take, every measure from A to Z within the boundaries of the rule of law, together with our governorships, our gendarmerie, our police, and all our law enforcement agencies, so that each of our 85 million citizens can go to the polls with peace of mind and the national will can be reflected in the ballot box."

For the March 31 local elections, a total of 594,000 personnel have been assigned within the scope of election security, including 324,000 from the General Directorate of Security, 197,000 from the Gendarmerie General Command, 2,850 from the Coast Guard Command, 53,000 security guards, and 17,000 volunteer security guards. We are keeping our helicopters, aircraft, and UAVs/UAVs belonging to our law enforcement units ready for duty."

News Source: AA