Title: Expressing support for a genuinely democratic repeat mayoral election in Istanbul, Turkey.
Policy area: International Affairs

Summary:
This resolution (1) expresses the recognition of the House of Representatives of the benefits of legitimate elections and strong and resilient democracies; and (2) states that, to restore confidence in democratic electoral institutions, Turkey should make every effort to ensure that the June 23, 2019, election complies with Turkish law and international standards for a fair, transparent, and competitive process.

[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 449 Introduced in House (IH)]

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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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