Bill Summary
This resolution expresses support for holding a genuinely democratic repeat election for the mayoral position in Istanbul, Turkey. It acknowledges that the previous local election, in which a candidate from the opposition party won, was marred by allegations of electoral irregularities and was subsequently invalidated by the Turkish Supreme Election Council. The resolution calls for the government and electoral leaders to ensure that the upcoming repeat election is conducted in accordance with Turkish law and international standards, and that independent observers are invited to monitor the process. It also emphasizes the importance of democratic elections for the country's stability and the United States' national security interests.
Possible Impacts
1) The resolution could affect the Turkish citizens by calling for a repeat election, potentially causing confusion and frustration among voters.
2) The resolution could affect the political and electoral leaders, putting pressure on them to ensure that the repeat election is conducted in a fair and transparent manner.
3) The resolution could affect the United States, as it calls for continued support for democracy and human rights in Turkey. This could impact diplomatic relations between the two countries.
[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 449 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
116th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 449
Expressing support for a genuinely democratic repeat mayoral election
in Istanbul, Turkey.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
June 19, 2019
Mr. Keating (for himself and Mr. Wilson of South Carolina) submitted
the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on
Foreign Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Expressing support for a genuinely democratic repeat mayoral election
in Istanbul, Turkey.
Whereas, on March 31, 2019, the Republic of Turkey held local elections across
each of its 81 provinces;
Whereas this local election cycle included the election of 30 metropolitan and
1,351 district municipal mayors as well as 1,251 provincial and 20,500
municipal councilors;
Whereas more than 57,000,000 Turkish citizens were registered to vote and
turnout was high with just under 85 percent of registered voters casting
their vote;
Whereas this election was the first to be held since the country transitioned
from a parliamentary to a Presidential system;
Whereas following the release of electoral results indicating a victory by a
candidate from the opposition Republican People's Party, the ruling
Justice and Development Party (AKP) alleged that electoral
irregularities invalidated the results of the election;
Whereas, on May 7, 2019, the Turkish Supreme Election Council announced its
decision to invalidate the results of the Istanbul mayoral election,
citing irregularities in the administration of the polling stations,
even though the results of the Istanbul district and provincial council
elections, which the AKP won, will stand;
Whereas a repeat election for Istanbul mayor has been called for June 23, 2019;
Whereas these developments contributed to a perception that the invalidation was
politically motivated; and
Whereas such perceptions, regardless of their accuracy, can erode public
confidence in electoral institutions: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives recognizes that--
(1) the peaceful change of government through legitimate
elections is a hallmark of democracy;
(2) the United States national security benefits from
alliances with strong, resilient democracies;
(3) to restore confidence in democratic electoral
institutions, Turkey's government, political, and electoral
leaders should make every effort to ensure that the conduct of
the June 23 repeat election complies with Turkish law and meets
or exceeds Turkey's commitments as a participating state of the
Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and
international standards for a fair, transparent, and
competitive process;
(4) to enhance confidence and transparency, credible,
nonpartisan Turkish and international observers should be
invited and supported to monitor electoral processes; and
(5) in keeping with mutual OSCE commitments, the United
States should continue to support the strengthening of
democracy and human rights in Turkey, including elections that
inspire public trust and reflect the will of voters.
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