The head of the High Electoral Council Narin Ferdi Şefik has said that there were a total of 209,837 voters who will be able to vote in the upcoming by-election on June 25.

She reminded that the deadline for the nomination of candidates by political parties was May 31.

Şefik also said that the number of voters had increased by 1,601 compared to the previous election.

Speaking on BRT on Wednesday, the head of the High Electoral Council Narin Ferdi Şefik said that the number of voters had increased by 1,601 since the last election and there were 209,837 voters eligible to vote in the upcoming by-election on June 25 for the one seat in parliament vacated by the leader of the People’s Party (HP) Kudret Özersay who had resigned.

Şefik also touched upon the issue of ending the practice of mixed voting currently on parliament’s agenda.

She pointed out that 60 per cent of the mixed votes cast in the last election had been declared null due to the mistakes made by voters, adding that a change was inevitable.

“Scrapping the practice will negatively impact the population that prefers mixed voting but when you have an election where 60 per cent of the votes are invalid then you have a situation whereby the will of the people is not reflected onto the ballot,” Şefik said.

The head of the High Electoral Council also said that work was being carried out to reduce the number of ballot boxes because voting will be taking place for only one seat in parliament.

She reminded that the deadline for the nomination of candidates will end on May 31.