The most interesting Bar Association elections in Turkey, lost by a tie in 2 out of 3 elections: An unprecedented situation in the Çanakkale Bar Association elections...

The 37th General Assembly of the Çanakkale Bar Association took place on October 5-6. The incumbent Bar Association President, Attorney Hande Keskin, and Attorney Ardahan Dikme competed in the elections.

Following the vote count, Dikme received 328 votes, while Keskin received 327. As a result of an objection filed by Hande Keskin regarding 3 votes, the ballots were recounted.

As a result of the recount, the incumbent President, Attorney Hande Keskin, and the other candidate, Attorney Ardahan Dikme, both received 327 votes, and the results were tied.

However, since the candidate with greater seniority is elected President in accordance with Article 90/4 of the Attorneys' Law, the new President of the Çanakkale Bar Association became Attorney Ardahan Dikme.

Keskin has lost due to the seniority difference in 2 of the last 3 elections she participated in as a presidential candidate, despite receiving the same number of votes as her opponents.

WHAT HAPPENED IN THE LAST THREE ELECTIONS?

In the elections held in 2021, which were postponed by 1 year due to the pandemic, Attorney Soner Aydın received 189 votes and Attorney Hande Keskin received 189 votes. Aydın became the Bar Association President because he was the more senior candidate in accordance with Article 90/4 of the Attorneys' Law.

In the 2022 General Assembly, Attorney Hande Keskin received 287 votes and Attorney Soner Aydın received 283 votes. Keskin became the second female president of the Çanakkale Bar Association after Attorney Tülay Ömercioğlu (2006-2012).

In the final General Assembly held on October 5-6, 2024, the votes were tied at 327-327 in the race between the incumbent Bar Association President, Attorney Hande Keskin, and the Bar Association Treasurer, Attorney Ardahan Dikme. Hande Keskin lost the election again due to seniority. Another point of note in these elections is that 8 members of the 11-person board of directors were elected from Hande Keskin's list.

“AN EXTRAORDINARY AND UNIQUE CASE, I RESPECT THE OUTCOME”

In a statement on her social media account, Keskin said, “In our Bar Association's history, I have been unable to become president twice because of a tie in 2 of the last 3 elections, in accordance with the Attorneys' Law. This interesting situation I have experienced consecutively is the only extraordinary example in all Bar Association elections across Turkey.

However, no matter what, I emphasize once again that I respect the ballot box, democracy, the will of the voters, and the results of the judiciary.

I congratulate Attorney Ardahan Dikme, who is the 19th President of the Çanakkale Bar Association, as well as all my esteemed colleagues who were elected to the Çanakkale Bar Association Board of Directors and other boards, and I wish them success.

Finally, I would like it to be known that I love and respect my colleagues who are members of the Çanakkale Bar Association under all circumstances. Thank you.”