Election broadcast ban comes into effect in Turkey
13:28, 31/10/2015, SaturdayU: Update: 13:47, 31/10/2015, Saturday
Yeni Şafak
The ban on snap election broadcasts went into effect at midnight as Turkey counts down for re-do of June's inconclusive elections
Media outlets are now not allowed to broadcast political advertising, Gallup polls, or comments about the snap election, according to the terms of the ban. However, they are allowed to broadcast rallies until 6 pm (local time) Saturday.
The ban was imposed by the Supreme Election Board (YSK) and the Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTUK).
“Political parties or candidates can explain their views by attending, together or separately, programs such as interviews, panels or televised debates in the period until 24 hours before voting day," the YSK elaborated.
The election bans that began on October 30 at 24:00 (local time) will remain in force until acertain time, which will be determined by the YSK on election day. The media cannot air election results until the YSK makes its final decision after the polls close on Sunday evening.
Turkish people will head back to the polls to redo the country'sin conclusive June elections. Over 54 million eligible voters will go to the polling stations on Sunday, November 1, only five months after the last elections left the ruling AK Party unable to govern alone.
Sixteen political parties and 21 independent candidates will stand in elections to be elected to the 550-seat the National Assembly. The candidates representing 85 constituencies in 81 provinces across Turkey will try to take to lead for a four-year term.