Can an electronic voting system be used in Turkey? Statement from YSK President Ahmet Yener.

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The Chairman of the Supreme Election Council (YSK), Ahmet Yener, is observing the Presidential Elections in the USA on-site. Answering questions in Washington, Yener stated that they have been in the USA since November 3rd as guests of the U.S. National Election Support Commission, and on November 4th, a detailed presentation and information regarding the election system in the USA was conducted by the commissions.

Yener reported that they have been visiting polling stations, saying, "So far, we see that the elections are taking place quite smoothly." He expressed that the officials at the schools they observed explained in detail how the election system works and the stages of the voting process.

"YSK IS OBSERVING U.S. ELECTIONS FOR THE FIRST TIME"

Stating that they are observing the U.S. elections for the first time along with YSK Member Ali Ürker, Yener said, "After we return to Turkey, we will evaluate our observations in our council and assess how the election systems in the USA reflect on our election system."

YSK IS EXAMINING ELECTION SYSTEMS IN DIFFERENT COUNTRIES

Yener recalled that they have been observing elections in various parts of the world, emphasizing that in 2024, election observations will take place in countries such as Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Maldives, Georgia, Moldova, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, and Russia. He mentioned that they participated in international symposiums held in Kazakhstan, Colombia, South Korea, and Poland, indicating that the experiences gained from these events are being evaluated to advance Turkey's election system by considering both similar and different aspects of the election systems.

Yener stated that they had the opportunity to personally observe how the electronic voting system is implemented in the USA, noting that voting by mail is also conducted in the USA. He expressed that all these methods will be evaluated, and the aspects that can be adapted will be assessed in Turkey, reporting that so far, the U.S. elections have been proceeding smoothly and democratically.

WILL ELECTRONIC VOTING BE IMPLEMENTED IN TURKEY?

Wishing that the results will be beneficial for the USA and the whole world, YSK Chairman Yener noted:

"What are the benefits and drawbacks of electronic voting for Turkey? By observing on-site, we will evaluate these upon our return and enter into a study accordingly, as the YSK has previously worked on this issue. With the impressions we gain from here, we will also examine the systems of electronic voting in different parts of the world and assess what is suitable for Turkey's conditions. Of course, the final point is that this is a matter requiring legal regulation. We will only conduct preliminary studies as an institution. Ultimately, the decision is up to the parliament."

In the observer delegation in Washington, which is monitoring the U.S. presidential elections, there are Turkish YSK officials as well as representatives from the election boards of Ukraine, Croatia, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan.