Lawyer Osman Kasapoğlu to explain proposed new system of voting rights for Turkish Cypriot Diaspora

NEWS/UK

The long-running campaign to give the TRNC’s overseas citizens the right to vote in elections and to be represented in the TRNC Parliament is taking a major step forward when campaigners outline proposals for a new expatriate (expat) voting model at two London seminars this week.

Organised by the Council of Turkish Cypriot Associations UK (KONSEY) – one of the major backers of the ‘Seçme ve Seçilme’ campaign – the seminars will be addressed by lawyer Osman Kasapoğlu (pictured), who will explain how his extensive studies into the practices of other European Union countries helped him to create a suitable voting model for the TRNC. This model, Kasapoğlu claims, overcomes concerns commonly raised by those living in North Cyprus who fear that overseas voters could dictate the future of North Cyprus, without compromising on the democratic voting and representational rights of the TRNC’s considerable expat community.

Currently only two EU states – Cyprus (both North and South) and Ireland – refuse to allow their Diaspora the right to vote. All other European countries have created a mechanism for their overseas citizens to participate in elections in their homeland. Turkey also introduced voting rights for its expats in 2012.

States such as Slovenia and Italy apparently also had concerns that their large expat communities could hold the balance of power over domestic political developments and implemented rules to prevent this. By examining their expat election rules, Kasapoğlu believes he has created the optimum model for North Cyprus, which he will explain at the two London briefings.

The first event will be in Catford, southeast London, and the other in Harringay, North London. Both events will be in Turkish and are free to attend. No prior reservations are needed.

Southeast  London seminar: Tuesday 23 June 2015

Times: 19.00-21.30

Address:  St Laurence Centre, 37 Bromley Road, Catford, London SE6 2TS

North  London seminar: Wednesday 24 June 2015

Times: 19.00-21.30

Address:  TCCA, 628 – 630 Green Lanes, Harringay, London N8 0SD

 

Cetin Ramadan is chair of KONSEY, which is spearheading the 'Seçme ve Seçilme' campaign

More info for either seminar and the speaker:

Leyla Kemal: lk@ctcauk.org / 07956 824 826

Ertugrul Mehmet: ertug_mehmet@yahoo.co.uk / 079505760708