YSK statement on claims that 'electronic voting work is underway': It had monitored the US elections

The YSK issued a written press statement regarding claims appearing in some media outlets and on social media.

In the written statement made by the YSK, it was stated: “The Supreme Election Council monitors elections held in different countries around the world on-site upon the invitations of the respective countries' election boards.

In this context, examinations were conducted in countries such as Russia, Moldova, Georgia, Hungary, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, and Kazakhstan.

Finally, the election held in the United States of America was monitored on-site. Detailed examinations were carried out during the visits, and the information obtained as a result of these examinations was evaluated in Board Meetings. In this context, the systems of countries that conduct elections using the electronic voting method were also evaluated.”

"NO SUCH WORK IS UNDERWAY"

The statement included the following: “The Supreme Election Council continues its work within the framework of the authority granted by the regulation in the law for citizens registered in the Overseas Voter Registry, in accordance with the provisions of Article 94/D of Law No. 298 on the Basic Provisions of Elections and Voter Registries, titled 'Electronic voting by overseas voters,' which states: ‘The Supreme Election Council is authorized to establish the necessary technical infrastructure for citizens residing abroad, determined within the framework of Article 35, to cast their votes electronically via their Republic of Turkey identification numbers; and to take measures to prevent duplicate voting and implement security measures such as passwords or similar security precautions for voters to ensure secure voting.

Overseas voters may cast their votes electronically starting from thirty days before the election date until 17:00 Turkish time on election day. Votes cast electronically are determined by the Overseas District Election Board starting from 17:00 on the day of the election, and counting, tallying, and consolidation processes are performed, and the results are transmitted to the Ankara Provincial Election Board. A consolidation report is then prepared by this Board and sent to the Supreme Election Council.

The evaluation of votes cast electronically is carried out according to the relevant provisions of Article 94/B.

Except for the situation regulated in Article 94/D regarding our citizens residing abroad being able to vote electronically, there is no legal regulation for any type of election held within the country. There is no current work being conducted by the Supreme Election Council regarding electronic voting methods for elections held within the country.”

News Source: İHA