The AK Party continues to work on the amendment of the Election and Political Parties Law to be implemented in the 2023 elections, it is also discussed to review the voting system according to technological developments. The prominent view in this context is the removal of the envelope in which the ballot papers are placed. A source from the AK Party stated that legal changes are required to vote without envelopes and that they will bring the issue to the agenda of the Supreme Election Board (YSK). It is stated: “Turkey is one of the two countries that use a voting envelope. This causes many problems. We are considering proposing it to both the Supreme Election Board and the opposition.”
ELECTRONIC AND FINGERPRINT VOTING IS ON THE AGENDA
AK Part discusses that the voting system and tools should be renewed according to technological developments. Though not for 2023 elections, “electronic voting” for the following years and “fingerprint voting” options are being evaluated after Turkey has completely switched to “chip” identity cards.
THE CONCERN OF “LOSS OF VOTES” IN THE ELECTRONIC SYSTEM
Many countries vote electronically in elections. However, this system is currently seen as a distant option for Turkey. AK Party sources say that some companies came to them and made presentations about devices that allow electronic voting, but this system is mostly suitable for use in countries with a high level of education. Due to some difficulties in using the system, such an application is not welcomed at the moment. It is thought that such a system will cause “loss of votes” due to possible problems in the use of the device.
“FINGERPRINT” SYSTEM
Another system that is considered according to technological developments is the method of voting with fingerprints in case all citizens in Turkey switch to a “chip ID card”. However, considering that the process of converting identity cards to chip ID cards in Turkey has not been completed, this system is not expected to catch up for the 2023 elections.
According to the information given by AK Party sources, the essence of the system is placing a device that can read people’s fingerprints at each ballot box. When the fingerprint is scanned, the voter will be able to take the ballot paper and it will also be possible to check whether this fingerprint matches the fingerprint on the ID card. Only those whose fingerprints match with the ID card will be able to print out the ballot and go to the cabin and vote. It is stated that with this method, drawbacks such as multpile voting and “stealing the compass” can be eliminated.
THE LAW NEEDS TO BE CHANGED
However, amendments to the Law on Basic Provisions of Elections and Electoral Registers are required to change the law for voting without an envelope. It is stated that if the opposition also gives support on this issue, it may come to the agenda to include this regulation in the Election Law amendment.
