YSK Chief Özerdağ: 217,056 Voters to Cast Ballots in Presidential Election

Speaking on BRT’s Manşet+ program, Özerdağ said the election process is being conducted meticulously in line with the official calendar. He noted that once candidacies are finalized, the legal campaigning period will run until the start of the propaganda ban on 18 October.

Özerdağ stressed that ballot box staff and logistics are being organized and that security measures for polling stations and information systems are in place. He underlined that the electronic systems are managed entirely by court staff, with no assistance from universities.

He also stated that voters will have eight candidates to choose from, that ballot boxes will close at 18:00 on election day, and that unofficial results are expected between 20:30 and 21:00.

On social media campaigning, Özerdağ acknowledged challenges with enforcement of propaganda bans and said complaints are relayed to relevant companies through Turkey, which sometimes causes delays.

Addressing voter participation, he called on citizens to turn out and ensure the public will is reflected at the ballot box. He also commented on the high invalidation rate of mixed votes — over 50% in the last election — and said any reform to the system would be up to Parliament.

Özerdağ further touched on the judiciary’s infrastructure challenges, revealing that the judiciary is set to move into a new building in 2026. He added that the current historic courthouse will be restored and repurposed for the Nicosia District Court and a new second criminal court will be established next year.

Finally, he emphasized that measures such as the use of handcuffs must be applied equally to all citizens, noting a rise in serious criminal cases including drug and violence-related offenses.