Call to extend voting rights to Turkish Cypriot expatriates
The Council of Turkish Cypriot Associations in the UK called for expatriate Turkish Cypriots to be given the right to vote and stand in TRNC elections
Turkish Cypriot expatriates should have the right to vote and stand in elections held at home, says an influential community body.
The Council of Turkish Cypriot Associations in the UK (CTCA) said political leaders in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus should address what they called “a grievance” among communities living abroad.
In an open letter to President Derviş Eroğlu, which was copied to the speaker of the Turkish Cypriot assembly, the prime minister and his deputy, and to the foreign minister, CTCA chair Aysın Yılmaz said: “It is a requirement of democracy that these changes are incorporated into the Turkish Cypriot constitution before any referendum.
“It is our resolute belief that every citizen should have the right to vote and be elected without discrimination.
“We request your support in incorporating changes to this end into the constitution.”
Similar rights were granted to Republic of Turkey citizens several years ago and will be used for the first time in presidential elections this summer.
The CTCA has been operating for thirty years and counts countless associations and schools among its membership.