ELECTION
GENERAL PARTICIPATION
RATE OF PARTICIPATION OF
RATE
PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
25. Term Parliamentary Election
86.43%
77.59%
26. Term Parliamentary Election
87.40%
78.43%
27. Term Parliamentary Election
88.19%
78.05%
Moreover, data indicates a decrease in the participation of voters with disabilities compared to the
previous elections in the last elections, despite the establishment of mobile ballot boxes. However, there
is an increase in general participation rate in the same election.
We would like to emphasize another point here that we have not been able to confirm the rates offered
to the Committee as voting rates of voters with disabilities, in the recent Replies of Turkey to the List
of Issues of the Committee. This information cannot be found in YSK’s official web-page or in any
other published material. In fact, this constitutes an example of the available information not being
shared with the public.
The General Directorate of Services for Persons with Disabilities and Elderly (EYHGM), which is the
focal mechanism for monitoring the implementation of the Convention, has not established any national
plan to ensure equal access for persons with disabilities. EYHGM does not analyze the practices and
the decisions taken by the YSK to the elections with the perspective of the Convention.
YSK rejects the applications made by CSOs for independent observation and monitoring on election
day which also includes monitoring and observing the process for voters with disabilities. AMER’s
such applications made to YSK since the 2011 General Elections have all been rejected on grounds of
domestic law, which make a total of seven applications.
2. On The Right to Conduct Public Affairs
The right to participate in political life is not only limited to voting in elections. It includes full and
effective participation in political life through participation in decision-making processes at all levels,
24