OSCE: Erdoğan Used His Position, Media Was One-Sided

Following the presidential elections, an international observers committee under Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) released a statement, sharing their observations and recommendations.   

Released during a press conference yesterday, the statement underlined that official duty and state resources were used inconsistently with legal gaps in the process as well as media did one-sided coverage. 

Pi: Elections made history

Reminding that Turkey’s people elected their presidents directly for the first time, Meritxell Mateu Pi, Observation Council Chairman from Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe said the following: “This is the beginning of a new era in the democratic development of Turkey.”

Abramikiene: Medya took the side of PM

Vilija Aleknaite Abramikiene, OSCE Short Term Observer Mission Special Coordinator, emphasized on the one-sided coverage of the media. 

“There were a few missing things that captured our attention. Especially, the unbalanced coverage of the media created a gap in the providing of people’s democratic expectations. Throughout the campaigns, we have observed that one person, the prime minister, had more advantages than other candidates. We have noted a process in favor of the prime minister while choosing a candidate due to the frequent coverage of PM in the media."

Highlights and issues 

Ambassador Geert-Hinrich Ahrens, the head of the OSCE/ODIHR Limited Election Observation Mission, on the other hand, listed the highlights and issues as follows:

“If we have a general look at the elections, there are positive things. For instance, a free campaign was made. Authorities allowed languages other than Turkish to be involved as well. The same way, electorate living abroad were able to vote as well. The election day also passed in a successful manner. 

“Apart from these, there are few negative and serious things as well. One candidate used his official duties inconsistently. In the legal framework, there are few gaps, media did one-sided coverage.”

Hoping that Turkish authorities will focus on these messages, Ahrens said they will release a report in 8 weeks. (EA/BM)  

Photo credit: Özge Elif Kızıl, AA

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