Expats' votes should count, too, say couple
Güncelleme Tarihi:
Doğan News Agency
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Mart 26, 2009 00:00
FETHİYE, Muğla - An English couple living in Fethiye said they should be eligible to vote in the local elections this Sunday but gave up after discovering that the country’s current electoral regulations do not allow them to. Two years after settling in the town in the western province of Muğla, Gillian and Alan Turner told the Doğan news agency that they wished that their vote counted.
"We want to make a difference with our votes here, where we live," said Gillian, 53.
Her husband agreed, saying that they should have the right to choose local administrators, which will have a direct impact on their lives. "We have our troubles, and we face the bureaucratic problems," said Alan, 45. "We should be eligible for voting, too."
The couple actually tried to sign up for the elections, but the law said that in order to be eligible to vote, they must be granted Turkish citizenship, which is only possible in their case after living in the country for five years.
"I feel we needn’t wait for five years," Alan Turner said. "We want to vote for the mayor even if we are not Turkish citizens." "We need to be in that system to avoid troubles we have here," he added.
Comparing the electoral campaigns in Turkey to those in England, Alan Turner spotted many differences.
"The candidates in England ring your doorbell and meet you in person to tell about their projects and plans," explained Alan Turner, questioning the campaigns’ efficiency in Turkey. "Here, we have driving vans with banging music. I am not quite sure if this is the right way to ask for votes."
Despite the differences, the couple say that they are living like Turkish people do. They have learned to speak Turkish, are used to Turkish traditions and even have a Turkish football team to support in Sivasspor.
They run a diving center in Fethiye named Avrupa Dalış Merkezi, which they see as a sign that they are a genuine part of the town.
"Thousands of Turkish and international tourists come to us and dive deep into the beauties of Fethiye," said Alan Turner. "When we earn money, we spend it here in our district."
Her husband agreed, saying that they should have the right to choose local administrators, which will have a direct impact on their lives. "We have our troubles, and we face the bureaucratic problems," said Alan, 45. "We should be eligible for voting, too."
The couple actually tried to sign up for the elections, but the law said that in order to be eligible to vote, they must be granted Turkish citizenship, which is only possible in their case after living in the country for five years.
"I feel we needn’t wait for five years," Alan Turner said. "We want to vote for the mayor even if we are not Turkish citizens." "We need to be in that system to avoid troubles we have here," he added.
Comparing the electoral campaigns in Turkey to those in England, Alan Turner spotted many differences.
"The candidates in England ring your doorbell and meet you in person to tell about their projects and plans," explained Alan Turner, questioning the campaigns’ efficiency in Turkey. "Here, we have driving vans with banging music. I am not quite sure if this is the right way to ask for votes."
Despite the differences, the couple say that they are living like Turkish people do. They have learned to speak Turkish, are used to Turkish traditions and even have a Turkish football team to support in Sivasspor.
They run a diving center in Fethiye named Avrupa Dalış Merkezi, which they see as a sign that they are a genuine part of the town.
"Thousands of Turkish and international tourists come to us and dive deep into the beauties of Fethiye," said Alan Turner. "When we earn money, we spend it here in our district."