Local Election Process Begins as Election Bans Take Effect

The Supreme Election Board (YSK) outlined the election bans in Announcement No. 6 concerning the General Elections of Local Authorities, which will be held on December 6.

The announcement recalled that, under Article 79 of the Election and Referendum Law, the state, public economic enterprises, local authorities and other public legal entities, as well as public officials, are required to maintain their impartiality throughout the election period.

It stated that the state, public economic enterprises, local authorities and their departments and institutions, partnerships and other public legal entities, as well as public officials, are prohibited from making donations or providing assistance to political parties or candidates under any name; making their facilities, equipment and resources available to a political party or candidate or using them for any political activity; or making any kind of broadcast or publication in favour of or against a political party or candidate, or with the aim of influencing citizens’ votes.

The announcement also noted that previously printed or published books, brochures, posters and similar materials containing such content would be subject to the same restrictions.

Appointments, Promotions and Transfers in Public Sector Suspended

Under the election bans, vacancies cannot be announced and appointments cannot be made in the state and public institutions during the election period. Examinations for promotions, salary-scale adjustments and transfers between districts will also be suspended.

Seasonal workers, temporary and contracted teachers to be employed in cases where vacancies arise in the education sector and it is not possible to fill those positions or make appointments before the start of the election period, as well as mandatory-service personnel and assistant doctors employed under the Public Health Employees Law, will be exempt from the election bans.

Appointments made in the health sector in cases where vacancies arise and there is a requirement and urgency in terms of the public interest will also be exempt. The same applies to student selection, placement and appointment procedures for defence services, as well as proficiency and foreign-language examinations for which the Public Service Commission had set examination dates before the election bans came into effect, and other written examinations for which applications had already been completed.

Contracts of public employees whose contracts expire during the election period may be renewed or extended under the same conditions for a maximum of three months.

Candidates Banned From Making Financial Contributions; New Land Allocations and Certain Permits Suspended

According to the YSK announcement, candidates will not be allowed to make financial contributions under any name to sports clubs, associations, charities or similar organisations.

Resource distribution, the opening of new resource packages, leasing and allocation procedures under the Settlement, Land Distribution and Equivalent Property Law will be suspended, as will procedures concerning the leasing of low forest lands, state-owned property and immovable properties registered in the name of the state.

No new land allocations will be made in rural areas, while the Permit Board will not be able to issue new permits under the Law on the Transportation of Passengers and Goods by Motor Vehicles (Control).

Preliminary permits, permits or licences for the opening of fuel stations, mines and quarries, currency exchange offices, nightclubs, casinos, gambling halls and virtual betting offices will also be suspended.

Tenders and Citizenship Procedures Also Suspended

All tender procedures conducted by the state and public institutions and organisations at every stage will be suspended during the election period. In compulsory cases, tender procedures will be subject to the approval of the YSK.

During this period, no permits to carry or possess handguns will be issued, citizenship admission procedures will be suspended, and personnel cannot be employed from established funds.

Banks using public resources as credit, as well as the Central Bank of the TRNC, will be required to submit information to the Republic’s Assembly within no more than three days on loans they provide during the election period.

Opening and Groundbreaking Ceremonies Banned

Under Article 80 of the Election and Referendum Law, no ceremonies, including opening and groundbreaking ceremonies, may be held from the start of the election period until the election results are announced for works and services carried out using the resources of the state, public economic enterprises, local authorities and other public legal entities.

Making speeches, issuing statements and broadcasting through any means concerning such works and services will also be prohibited.

Restrictions on Official Vehicles and Protocol

Under Article 81 of the law, the President, Prime Minister, ministers and MPs will not be allowed to use official vehicles or government service vehicles during domestic travel throughout the same period.

No official welcoming or farewell ceremonies may be held during such trips, and official banquets may not be organised. The President, Prime Minister and ministers will be required to comply with the provisions of the Election and Referendum Law in their election-related activities and speeches.

Under Article 82 of the law, no public official may accompany the President, Prime Minister, ministers, MPs or candidates on their domestic trips.