Register to vote, Turkey consulate says

Turkish passport holders living in Britain are entitled to vote in this summer’s presidential election but must register in time

TURKEY’s consulate-general in London has called on expatriates living in Britain to register to vote well before this August’s presidential election.

A statement from the consulate said Turkish expatriates need to ensure they are enrolled on the “Overseas Electoral Register” (Yurtdışı Seçmen Kütüğü) before they can vote.

Voters can check the website of the Turkish Electoral Commission (YSK) website (by visiting www.ysk.gov.tr) to see where they are currently registered.

All Turkish passport holders over the age of 18 will be permitted to vote in the first presidential election in the country’s history, which will be held in Turkey on Sunday 10 August.

Polling booths will be also opened in around sixty countries around the world, including the UK, where expatriates will be able to vote at any time over four days between Thursday 31 July and Sunday 3 August. The ballot boxes will then be returned to Turkey for counting.

The precise voting venues will  be announced closer to the time.

Under Turkey’s new presidential election system, a second round of voting must be held if no candidate receives at least 50 percent of the vote. That second round, if required, will be held on Sunday 24 August.