Early "parliamentary elections" again in the occupied territories next Sunday, 23 January , the tenth since the first election for the "parliament" of the pseudo-state held on 23 June 1985.
According to data in a note from the JFP on the "parliamentary" elections, the last such "elections" took place four years ago, on 7 January 2018, and were also early.
The inability to secure the necessary quorum for the "parliament" to meet in recent months, the problems between the "government partners" and the internal party problems they have been facing can be described as the main reasons for the decision to hold "early elections."
The inability to secure the necessary quorum for the "parliament" to meet in recent months, the problems between the "government partners" and the internal party problems they have been facing can be described as the main reasons for the decision to hold "early elections. It should be noted that the "parliamentary elections" are being held in a climate of economic and health crisis caused by the pandemic and the fall in the exchange value of the Turkish lira.
In the four years since 7 January 2018, all parties represented in the "parliament" have been tested in the "government". First, a four-party coalition was formed between the Republican Turkish Party (RTK), the People's Party (PL), the Democratic Party (DP) and the Community Democracy Party (CDP). It was dissolved with Ankara's interventions to form the "government" of the National Unity Party (NUP) with the People's Party (PL) and the Democratic Party (DP). This "government" was replaced by the coalition of the CP, PP and the Renaissance Party (PA) (of the settlers) shortly before the "presidential elections" in 2020 and immediately after the decision to open the enclosed city of Famagusta. But the "pink scandal" that led to the resignation of "Prime Minister" Ersan Saner brought about the dissolution of this coalition as well, the ascension of Faiz Suzhouoglu to the leadership of the CEC and the formation of a "caretaker minority government" of the CEC-DC parties.
'As for the turnout rates in the "parliamentary elections", on 23 June 1985, the registered voters were 95,124, 83,175 voted and the turnout rate reached 87.33%. The next "parliamentary elections" were held on 6 May 1990, with 101,306 registered voters, 94,403 voted and a turnout of 93.02%; on 12 December 1993, 107,820 registered voters, 100,867 voted and a turnout of 93.45%. On 6 December 1998, the corresponding figures were 122,574 and 106,331, with a turnout of 88.24%. On 14 December 2003, there were 136,596 on the rolls, 121,740 voted and the turnout rate was 85.84%. On 20 February 2005, 147,249 and 119,009 respectively, with a turnout rate of 91.1%. On 19 April 2009, there were 161,373 registered, 131,849 voted and the turnout rate was 81.70%. On 28 July 2013 there were 172,803 people on the rolls, 119,940 voted, the turnout rate was 69.41%. In the last "parliamentary elections" on 7 January 2018, there were 190,553 registered voters, 126,040 voted and the turnout rate was 66.14%.
According to the "constitution", "parliamentary elections" are held every five years.
According to the "constitution", "parliamentary elections" are held every five years. Those who have reached the age of 18 have the right to vote, while those who have reached the age of 25 have the right to vote. The electoral threshold for admission to "parliament" was set at 5% and "voters" are entitled to vote in three different ways: 1) To vote for the party of their choice by putting a "yes" stamp in the box below the party emblem; 2) To vote for the party of their choice and express a preference for the candidates of their choice by putting a preference cross in the boxes next to their name; and 3) To vote a mixed vote by putting only a preference cross next to the names of the candidates of their choice without voting for a party. If they prefer this way of voting, they must vote for candidates from at least two parties per province or one party and one independent.
According to the "Supreme Electoral Council", the total population in the occupied territories is 245,869 and the number of voters is 203,792.
The registered "voters" in the last "parliamentary elections" held on 7 January 2018 were 190,553, while in the "presidential elections" held in 2020 they amounted to 199,029. Based on these figures, it is observed that the number of 'voters' has increased by 13,239 persons within the last four years and by 4,763 persons within the last one year."
According to the calculations of the 'council', the population of 245,869 is distributed as follows in the 'districts'; Nicosia 79,189, Famagusta 62,237, Kyrenia 53,261, Morphou 17,490, Trikomo 25,228 and Lefka 8,464.
According to the calculations of the 'council', the population of 245,869 is distributed as follows in the 'districts'.
Based on these figures, the number of "deputies" in Kyrenia increases from 10 to 11 and in Morphou decreases from 4 to 3. In Nicosia there remain 16, in Famagusta 13, in Tricombe 5 and in Lefka 2. The distribution of "parliamentary seats, voters and ballots by "province" is shown in Table 2 below.
Regarding the composition of the outgoing "parliament", the CEC had 20 seats, the PTK 12, the CL 6, the DK 3, the RS 3, the CA 1. There were 4 independent "deputies" who left the CL and the CA, while one seat, that of Hussein Ojgiurgiun, was vacant.
In the last "parliamentary elections", in January 2018, the CEC received 35.58% and had 21 seats initially, the PTK, 20.92% and 12 seats, the CL 17.08% and 9 seats, the CPC 8.64% and 3 seats, the DB 7.84% and 3 seats and the CA had 7% and 2 seats.
Based on the results of the polls that have seen the light of day, the new "parliament" will also be a six-party parliament. The first two seats are expected to be occupied again by the CEE and the PKK, with increased percentages compared to the 2018 "elections".
The CEE is first in all polls, but without securing the majority needed to form a "self-reliant government". Therefore, the formation of a two or even three-party coalition "government" is expected to emerge, unless the CEC greatly increases its numbers.
The big loser compared to the previous election seems to be Kuttret Ojersai's CL, as the possibility of reaching again the 17% of the vote it received in 2018 seems very remote. The hope that the CL had created in a section of the community with its appearance and pronouncements is being replaced with disappointment due to its performance over the last four years. The loss of electoral power should not be considered unrelated to the events that took place before the "presidential elections" and Ankara's support for Ersin Tatar, which caused dissatisfaction in Ojersai and his withdrawal from the "government" after the opening of the Famagusta enclave.
After a backstage then and the intervention of Turkey, 3 "MPs" left the CL to support the tripartite "government coalition" of KKE - PP - CA.
The percentage of abstention is expected with interest, as well as whether and to what extent it will be due to the call of some extra-parliamentary parties and organizations to boycott the vote, due to the interventions of Ankara both during the period preceding the "presidential election" and after it.
Source: CNA
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