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Turkish expat explores all avenues to cast ‘yes’ vote
Yıldırım appealed to the authorities to be able to cast a vote in the referendum in Turkey because she will return to Germany after Sept. 12, but was told that she can only cast a vote in Germany or at a border gate.
After her efforts proved futile, she found a possible solution. She went to İstanbul’s Sabiha Gökçen Airport and bought a ticket to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (KKTC), the closet country to Turkey that requires no visa, as passengers are able to cast a vote after going through passport control.
Yıldırım went through passport control, cast her vote and cancelled her ticket. Because she cancelled the ticket more than half and hour before the flight, she was fully refunded the fare.
Turkish citizens who have been living abroad for more than six months, who are 18 years of age on the date of the referendum on Sept. 12, who enter or exit the country on the day of the referendum or who hold dual citizenship can cast their votes at border gates. Voting in the referendum started at border gates early this month.
When asked about which way she voted, Yıldırım said: “Of course ‘yes.’ I was deeply affected by Fethullah Gülen’s sensitivity on the issue. I would have gone to the other side of the world if necessary.”
Well-respected Turkish intellectual and scholar Fethullah Gülen recently said that everyone, including Turkish citizens living abroad, should vote positively in the referendum. “I wish we had a chance to raise the dead from their graves and urge them to cast ‘yes’ votes in the referendum,” he said, highlighting the importance of voting in favor of the changes.
Her husband, Ali Sami Yıldırım, thanked the air carrier at the airport for refunding the ticket. He also called on the Supreme Election Board (YSK) to find a solution for people who face the same problem and proposed the placement of ballot boxes somewhere before the passport control area at airports. He said he hopes Turkey will eventually have citizens not only in Europe but all over the world vote at polling stations opened in consulates and embassies.
Sept. 12 will be a historic day for Turkey because the most comprehensive amendments to Turkey’s current Constitution, prepared by the 1980 coup leaders, will be presented to a public vote. Among other things, the reform package includes changes to the structure of the Constitutional Court and the Supreme Board of Judges and Prosecutors (HSYK). Furthermore, the package repeals Article 15 of the Constitution, which gives immunity to the generals responsible for the Sept. 12, 1980 coup.
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