Election broadcast ban enters into force in Turkey

ANKARA

An election broadcast ban entered into force at midnight Friday in Turkey as the country heads to polls Sunday.

According to the ban imposed by the Supreme Election Board (YSK) and the Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTUK), media organizations are now not allowed to broadcast any political advertising, predictions or comments about the election.

Also, the media is not allowed to air the election results until the YSK gives its final decision after the ballots close on Sunday.

“Political parties or candidates can explain their views by participating together or separately in programs such as open sessions, interviews, panels in radio or televisions, in the period until 24 hours before the vote-day [Oct, 30, 2015, 24:00 local time],” the board said.

Media organizations can broadcast political advertising in the period until 24 hours before election day, while on the other hand, they are allowed to broadcast rallies until 6 p.m., local time Saturday, it added.

More than 54 million Turkish voters head to polls Sunday in a rerun of June’s inconclusive election. The vote will see 550 deputies from among 16 political parties and 21 independent candidates elected to the Turkish Grand National Assembly, representing 85 constituencies in 81 provinces for a four-year term.