Expressing support for a genuinely democratic repeat mayoral election in Istanbul, Turkey.

Bill: 116-hres-449
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Keating, William R. [D-MA-9]
Introduced: 2019-06-19
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Alliances

Asia

Elections, voting, political campaign regulation

Europe

Government ethics and transparency, public corruption

Human rights

International organizations and cooperation

Rule of law and government transparency

Sovereignty, recognition, national governance and status

Turkey
Latest action: action_date: 2019-06-27
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Europe, Eurasia, Energy and the Environment.

Summaries:
action_date: 2019-06-19
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p>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. </p>

tv_txt: IV 116th CONGRESS 1st Session H. RES. 449 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

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.