Turkish Cypriots in south London turned out to hear proposals on overseas voting
A conference has been held aimed at rallying support for Turkish Cypriot overseas voting rights.
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus citizens are currently not permitted to vote in elections if they live overseas, unlike nationals of Turkey, but constitutional expert Osman Kasapoğlu believes this situation should change.
Speaking at an event held in the St Laurence Centre in Catford, south London, the long-serving teacher of law and accounts said he believed the constitution did allow expatriate voting: “When you read and interpret the relevant clauses of our constitution you can see that the right to elect and be elected is guaranteed.
“When you combine these with decisions taken by Europe and the UN, you reach the belief that Turkish Cypriots living in Europe should also enjoy these rights.”
He continued by pointing out the precedent set by other countries: “we saw the Italian and Estonian models as the closest to us. If we could adapt the rights granted by these two countries to Turkish Cypriot law, we would achieve a world first and bring so much to our country’s electorate.
“There is nothing to lose here.”
Constitutional expert Osman Kasapoğlu
Mr Kasapoğlu said that the Turkish Cypriot assembly, currently made up of 50 members, should be increased to 55 seats, with the additional five seats allocated to representing expatriates.
Two MPs each would be allocated to Britain and Turkey, he said, with a fifth allotted to represent Turkish Cypriots in Australia.
The largest number of expatriates live in Turkey, Britain and Australia, he said, but added that 18 different countries – including Belgium, Italy, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Hungary and Bahrain – had significant populations.
“But it is astonishing that in Australia, where 70,000 of our citizens live, there is still no representative’s office.”
The event was organised by the Council of Turkish Cypriot Associations. Its deputy leader Leyla Kemal said that it had been campaigning for increased Turkish Cypriot rights for more than two years and that a committee had been established to advance the cause.
