Turkey welcomes Eid al-Fitr amid political debates, referendum thrill

Turkey will mark this Eid amid heated debates over the Sept. 12 public vote on a package of proposed changes to the Constitution. The constitutional amendment package, and the approaching referendum, are expected to be the most popular topics of conversation during Eid get-togethers this year.

Debates over the package -- which seeks to make vital changes to the 1980 coup Constitution -- are expected to overwhelm regular subjects such as inflation, the cost of living and family matters.

There is an ongoing competition between political parties supporting and opposing the reform package. The competition will most probably make itself felt among supporters of the different parties during family visits. During Eid, people are expected to discuss the content of the constitutional amendment package and urge one another to either vote for or against the package on referendum day.

Sept. 12 will mark a milestone in Turkey's history, according to most observers. The Sunday vote will have a decisive say in the direction of democracy in the country. The existing Constitution was ratified by a public vote in 1982 after a military coup two years earlier. The proposed changes would make the military more accountable to civilian courts as well as give Parliament a say in appointing judges to higher courts. There has been a growing demand from the public for changes to the Constitution, which falls short of meeting contemporary expectations in the field of individual rights and freedoms.

Analysts believe conversations at family gatherings will have a decisive role in the voting preferences of some voters who have not decided to support or oppose the reform package.

Earlier opinion polls put the percentage of undecided voters at over 10 percent. According to an ANDY-AR poll, undecided voters are more likely to vote “yes” on referendum day. The poll, which made its way into several Turkish dailies on Wednesday, suggested that more than 57 percent of respondents plan to vote in favor of the reform package, while over 42 percent plan to do the contrary. Pollsters said most “yes” votes will come from eastern and northern Turkey while most “no” votes will come from the western cities.

The poll also revealed a bitter fact. Only slightly over 49 percent of respondents said they know about the content of the constitutional amendment package, while over 21 percent said they do not have any idea about the package at all. Observers believe voters who are unaware of the reform package will tend to vote “yes” on Sept. 12 if they learn about the package’s content before the referendum day.

The referendum has a symbolic meaning for most voters as its date coincides with the 30th anniversary of the Sept. 12, 1980, military coup. Most believe the referendum will be an opportunity for victims of the coup to settle accounts with the coup instigators. Dozens of people were killed and hundreds were tortured after the putsch.

Eid traffic heavier than past years

This year’s Eid is different from past years in terms of traffic, as well. Most voters have decided to return their place of residence after a short family visit in their hometown. This year’s Eid al-Fitr begins today and ends on Sept. 11. This year Eid is followed by a Sunday, but holidaymakers are preferring to return to their places of residence for the final day of Eid, instead of spending the next day relaxing, so that they can vote on Sept. 12.

Traditionally, people in Turkey visit family and friends in their hometowns during religious holidays. Traveling by bus is a popular option.

The Turkish Fleet Operators’ Federation (TOFED) recently announced that the occupancy rate for bus companies has already reached 100 percent. Some 9,000 buses were scheduled to take to the roads daily during the three-day holiday. The federation applied to the General Directorate of Highways to allow bus firms to offer additional transport services. The directorate agreed, and an additional 5,000 buses have been granted the requested permission.

Traffic authorities have noted that the number of casualties due to traffic accidents rises significantly during the Eid holiday, and renewed calls for greater attention and full compliance with traffic regulations during Eid. Drivers are particularly being cautioned to avoid drinking and driving, as well as speeding. İhsan Memiş, from the Road Safety Research Association, recalled that 679 people were killed in traffic accidents during Eid in the past six years. “In addition, more than 13,500 people were injured in these accidents,” he added.

Air traffic has been heavy for a while due to both Eid and the referendum. Turkish expats are returning to the country for a short visit to be able to vote at airports on the reform package. Hundreds of expats have voted thus far.

The Supreme Election Board (YSK) has not allowed Turkish citizens to vote on the referendum while abroad unless that particular constituent has a residence permit in the country from where he/she wishes to cast a vote.

Eid messages issued by politicians and other leading figures have predominantly focused on the suffering in Pakistan, which was recently hit by floods triggered by torrential monsoon rains.

Religious Affairs Directorate head Ali Bardakoğlu said humanity and the Muslim world are about to fail a test on aid to the people in need in Pakistan. “Millions of Pakistani brothers are today facing death in poverty and suffering, caused by an unprecedented flood disaster,” read a message the directorate released on Wednesday.

Felicity Party (SP) leader Numan Kurtulmuş said the flood disaster shadowed the Eid joy in Pakistan. “The floods caused indescribable sufferings in Pakistan,” he noted. He also mentioned the ongoing tragedies in Gaza, Jerusalem, Iraq and Chechnya in his Eid message.

In his message, the Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB) President Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu called on the Turkish nation to send more humanitarian aid to Pakistan. He said the Turkish nation should continue its post-disaster aid efforts to Pakistan during and after the Eid. “I invite all members of the dear Turkish nation to share the grief of the Pakistani people during and after the Eid as they did throughout Ramadan,” he noted.