Holding the vote under the ongoing state of emergency could be “potentially jeopardizing the integrity of the election process,” read an interim report from the OSCE released on Friday.
Turkey’s Foreign Ministry responded to the report, stating that “elections in our country are held in a pluralistic and competitive manner in line with democratic standards. However, it is seen that the interim report includes certain comments, even of political nature, that do not coincide with reality.”
Sanchez Amor headed up an observer mission of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in the first week of June.
“Candidates, journalists, election officials, activists and Turkish citizens from all walks of life all want to see Turkey succeed, and it is with them in mind that we will conduct a professional and fair-minded election observation mission of these early presidential and parliamentary elections,” he said when wrapping up his visit.
His report highlighted concerns about security and media coverage.
“The tone of the presidential campaign has been confrontational reflecting the general polarization,” read the report, singling out incumbent Recep Tayyip Erdogan for repeatedly accusing his opponents of supporting terrorism.
The report also noted the fears of the pro-Kurdish HDP who are concerned about attacks on their party and obstruction of their campaign activities.
HDP’s presidential candidate Selahattin Demirtas is campaigning from his jail cell where he is on trial for terror-related crimes.
The party has applied to the election body for permission for Demirtas to hold election rallies, arguing that campaigning by video or voice recordings was not enough and was violating the principle of fair elections.
A day before the OSCE released its report, several people were killed in Suruc.
State-affiliated media reported that persons connected with the PKK attacked members of the ruling AKP as they were campaigning.
Four people were killed and eight injured. Among the dead is the brother of an AKP MP, according to Anadolu Agency.
Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag said it was “very clear” that the PKK was behind the attack.
Local Kurdish media, however, reported that AKP bodyguards were responsible for the deaths.
According to HDP, five people were killed and eight injured, adding that three merchants are among the dead.
“Everyone should remain calm and continue their election campaigns in a democratic manner. The elections should be free of fight and bloodshed,” the party stated.
