Speaking to reporters on Saturday Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoðan said that “it is evident that there is a problem” with the YSK (Turkey's High Elections Board). His remarks came in the wake of a crisis sparked by a highly disputed YSK decision to bar and and then reinstate several independent candidates from running in the June elections.

Last week the YSK said 12 independent nominees would not be allowed to run for Parliament in the next elections because of past convictions in alleged terrorism-related crimes. The decision was met with angry protests across the country and a young man was killed by police while hundred of others were wounded. The Election Board overwhelmed by protests then reversed its decision and allowed seven of the deputies to run in the upcoming elections. According to the prime minister, the new parliament to be established after the June elections will make the required assessments of the structure of the YSK.

“All structural reforms will be on Parliament’s agenda in the new term. We will make evaluations and conduct studies regarding structural reforms [including the YSK] after the elections. It is obvious there is a problem [with the structure of the YSK],” Erdoðan said.

The PM also renewed earlier criticism of the YSK for its decision to block the possibility of Turkish citizens residing abroad from voting at embassies or consulates in their countries of residence.