US model adopted for presidential elections

The solution was found in the system the US has been using for years. According to this practice, candidates will pay for expenses with citizen donations. Every presidential candidate will have an “election account.” Citizens will be able to donate money to the bank account for which they will receive a receipt.

Candidates will be straightforward about the amount of money they’ve collected and the amount they’ve spent on expenses. All profits and expenses pertaining to the election period starting with the day candidates are confirmed all the way up to the end of the election will be documented. A list of designated individuals and institutions the candidates are prohibited from accepting help from has been drawn up. Candidates will not be able to accept help from foreign states, international organizations, legal entities or people that are not of Turkish nationality.

Uncertainties surrounding the presidential elections are gradually being resolved. In a referendum held close to two years ago it was agreed that the president would be elected by popular vote for a five-year term; however, the new decision brought with it some questions. The government has completed its work on resolving issues related to presidential elections such as the term of the president and election finances. The “Presidential Law” bill, which is made up of 26 items, is expected to be referred to Parliament in the near future. A presidential candidate must be at least 40 years old and must have completed higher education. The president will serve for five years and can be elected for a second term.

The most impressive aspect of the draft is related to the finances of presidential elections. Discussions were held over providing Treasury assistance to candidates just like political parties, but the government instead decided to have candidates pay for expenses through citizen support.

Details of the draft, which Today’s Zaman has obtained, include the following.

Citizens to go to polls: The president will be elected by popular vote. The elections will be held by equal and secret ballot on the same day across the country under the direction and supervision of the judiciary.

Two five-year terms: Presidential elections will be held every five years. An eligible candidate can be elected president a maximum of two times.

Candidate must win at least 51 percent in the first round: The candidate that receives the absolute majority of valid votes will be elected president. If a majority is not achieved in the first round, a second vote will be held on the second Sunday following the first poll. The two candidates who won the most votes in the first round will participate in the second round. The candidate who wins the absolute majority of valid votes will be elected president.

Candidate replacement due to death: In the event of the death of one of the two candidates eligible to participate in the second round, the spot will be substituted by the candidate that received the next highest votes in the first round. Substitutions will not be made for any other reason.

Parliamentary speaker to be acting president: The incumbent president will continue to serve as president until the new president takes office.

Election to be postponed a year during war: If Parliament decides that holding elections will not be possible due to war, the presidential election will be postponed for one year.

Age limit: Any Turkish citizen who is at least 40 years of age and has completed higher education can be elected president.

Twenty deputies can nominate one candidate: A person from within Parliament or outside can be nominated as a presidential candidate with a written proposal by at least 20 deputies. Each deputy can suggest only one candidate.

Parties that win more than 10 percent can nominate a common candidate: Political parties that won more than 10 percent of the total votes in the last parliamentary election can nominate a common candidate.

Nominee must provide written consent: A person must provide written consent in order to be nominated a candidate.

Foreigners cannot help: Candidates cannot use any support from foreign states, international organizations, legal entities or people who are not of Turkish nationality.

Banks to have “election account”: All profits and expenses from the day the candidate list is confirmed to the end of the election results will be documented to ensure transparency. Receipts will be provided for every donation. Donations will be deposited into bank accounts called “election accounts” that candidates will open in their name.