As Turkey prepares for the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections, concerns are growing about the fairness of the vote. Media coverage is seen as an example of how President Recep Tayyip Erdogan enjoys an advantage over his opponents, but factors such as the use of state resources while campaigning and questionable interpretation of electoral law also feature.
The main opposition party, the Republican People’s Party (CHP), has launched legal action against broadcaster TRT for failing to screen its campaign video. CHP spokesperson Emre Kılıç stated that "the unequal media representation violates our democratic rights." The government has extended its reach over social media, where many opposition voices have retreated due to restricted press freedom.
A “disinformation” law introduced in October allows a jail sentence of up to three years for spreading false information “with the sole aim of creating anxiety, fear or panic among the public.” Journalist Murat Gülsoy is currently serving a 10-month prison term under these charges. Human rights activist Elif Çetinkaya expressed her concern on this issue: "This new law not only threatens journalistic integrity but also free speech itself."
The imposition of a state of emergency over 11 provinces hit by February's catastrophic earthquake raises further concerns about how polls will be conducted in those regions. Ercüment Kimyon, a local architect involved in advocacy work for city integrity after natural disasters states: "We need transparency and unbiased monitoring more than ever during these critical times."
Opposition parties have taken legal action to prevent what they perceive as an unlevel playing field during elections amid various controversies surrounding infrastructure projects led by Prime Minister Erdogan's administration. In one particular case involving an airport built on deteriorating former lake bed land – which faced periodic flooding since its grand opening back in 2007 – Kimyon filed suits against unwise construction decisions made by authorities.
Despite these challenges, opposition parties continue to fight for a fair and transparent electoral process. With the elections approaching, Turkey's political landscape remains volatile as tensions between Erdogan's government and opposition groups escalate. It remains to be seen if legal actions taken by the CHP will have any impact on ensuring a more level playing field in this crucial election.