As the elections on 14 May in Turkey are approaching, election campaigns of the parties continue. According to a recent statement by the Supreme Election Board (YSK), the number of voters abroad is 3 million 286 thousand 786.

The importance of external votes is undeniable. Political parties are thus taking pains with bringing external voters to the ballot boxes. Voter turnout abroad is very low. As in all of Europe, the Labour and Freedom Alliance is leading an energetic election campaign in Switzerland. The Labour and Freedom Alliance, under the umbrella of which the Green Left Party is contesting, has already started its campaign abroad.

In an interview with ANF, Selma Sürer and İsmail Kardaş, members of the Election Coordination of the Swiss Labour and Freedom Alliance, gave information about the party’s campaign.

ELECTIONS IN 2018

The number of voters in Switzerland was 98,929 in 2018. The number of those who will vote in this election increased by 14 percent to 105,820. The HDP came in first in Switzerland in the 2018 elections, receiving 19,683 votes (40.8%). The People's Alliance (AKP+MHP) received 18,096 votes (37.5%.)

The Labour and Freedom Alliance election coordination members İsmail Kardaş and Selma Sürer said that they would come in first by increasing their votes in this election.

Sürer stated: “With the Erdogan/MHP regime policies for 20 years, femicides have tremendously increased. We will continue our efforts to bring an end to this fascist regime.”

'ELECTION CAMPAIGN BEGAN IN JANUARY'

Sürer said: “In January we established election commissions in every place where we are organized, including cantons and local councils. The Labour and Freedom Alliance components are included in the election coordination. Moreover, Alevi institutions, Yazidi and Syriac associations also take part in the campaign.”

WOMEN READY FOR ELECTIONS

Remarking that women took an active part in the election campaign, Sürer said: “We are continuing our activities by allying the Kurdish women's movement and other women's institutions in Switzerland. We observe that women are actively taking part in our activities.”

KURDISH RESISTANCE

Green Left Party Swiss Election Coordination Member İsmail Kardaş pointed out that the 2023 elections are very important for the Kurds and emphasized that the current fascist government in Turkey has come to an end.

Kardaş stated that the AKP-MHP government will be defeated in the elections: “The Kurds are resisting in every way. This resistance has pushed back the fascist, monist government.”

OUR GOAL IS TO GET RECORD HIGH VOTES

Kardaş said that they will get record high votes by increasing their votes by 20 percent in this election.

He added: “We first carried out activities to register voters, helping a large number of people to go to the consulate for registration. We see a 14% increase in voter turnout in this election. Until April 2, new registrations were made. Now, we are working to get voters to go to the polls by making home visits. Our goal is to get more than 50 percent of the votes in Switzerland.”

VOTING TO TAKE PLACE BETWEEN APRIL 29 - MAY 7

Kardaş said that the voters in Switzerland will go to the polls between April 29 and May 7, and preparations to take the voters to the polls are already complete.

“The voters will cast their votes in 3 places in Switzerland: Zürich, Bern and Geneva. A total of 42 ballot boxes will be set up, 12 on weekdays and 14 on weekends in Zürich, and 3 on weekdays and 5 on weekends in Bern and Geneva. Our people will be able to vote between 09.00 and 21.00 between April 29 and May 7.”

ELECTION SECURITY

Kardaş continued: “Election security is as important as voting in the election. Since the HEP, the Kurds have had a serious experience in elections. We will have observers at every ballot box. We also asked political parties and parliamentarians to go to Turkey and observe the elections. We received a positive response. Swiss delegations will go to Turkey to follow the elections.”

VOTES AGAINST THE DICTATOR

Kardaş and Sürer concluded:

“This is our call to all our voters living in Switzerland: Whatever happens, go to the polls. This will be our election victory day and our final year. 'One vote overthrows a dictator'. This is our motto. Each person should participate in the election activities. They should mobilize not only themselves, but also those around them. Not a single vote should be wasted. Every responsible individual must convince ten people to vote for the Green Left Party.”

CENTRAL ELECTION RALLY IN ZURICH

The election campaign in Switzerland is continuing with public meetings and home visits. The Green Left Party will hold a central rally in Zurich this weekend.

Ballot boxes in Switzerland:

1-Bern Embassy, Lambachweg 33, 3006 Bern

2- Geneva Consulate General, 20 Route de Pre-Bois 1215 Geneve

3- Zurich Consulate, Messe Zürich, Wallisellenstrasse 49, 8050 Zurich