Justice and Development Party (AK Party) İstanbul deputy Lokman Ayva, who himself is visually impaired, said the YSK is obstructing the basic democratic right to vote.
Ayva pointed out that there are 8.5 million disabled people in Turkey, 4.5 million of which are eligible to vote in the approaching local elections, and of those, 300,000 are unable reach the polls without assistance. “There is not a legal explanation for telling these citizens not to go to the polls while they should have helped them,” he said.
Stating that disabled Turks will continue to seek their rights in democratic ways, Ayva, who is also the chairman of Beyazay (White Moon) Association, said he demanded an appointment with the YSK to discuss the issue, but they never responded to his request. “I do not have an alternative other than democracy. Legislative and executive bodies have done what they should do and have enacted laws. I expect the judiciary to do its part,” he noted.
Ayva also said he, along with other disabled Turks, will take the problem to an international level and will inform international election observers about the issue. “We try to find solutions using our democratic rights, without demonstrations and meetings. This is our country and we love it. We are disappointed to feel obliged to apply to the European Court of Human Rights. We do not demand something that is beyond the authority of the YSK. We expect this problem to be resolved along with arrangements being made with the YSK to require ID numbers on identity cards,” he added.
