Annisa Essack | kzn@radioislam.org.za
17 May 2023, | 13:30 CAT
2 min read

Photo Credit: WORDCRAFTBYANNISA

With the first round of the Turkish Elections over, Ibrahim Deen focused on some takeaways and the upcoming run-off on 28th May 2023.

He says polling is unreliable, and many didn’t look at the youth vote in the rural areas, especially those affected by the earthquake.

Deen also mentioned that there was more focus on the economy and little analysis of Turkish society’s changing nature and regional power changes, like the situation in Tunisia and Sudan.

Unpacking how the media reported on the elections, Deen said that global media tried to shape the narrative, especially when looking at polls and linking it to the narrative. He said the coverage was good post-election but “myopic” during the initial coverage.

Erdoğan, he says, has the advantage, especially as nationalist Sinan Ogun seems to be more aligned with him rather than Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu. However, as kingmaker, he will engage both leaders before a decision is reached.

A more critical issue, says Deen, is voter turnout at the run-off. If turnout is kept at the same or higher levels, then Erdoğan stands a better chance of winning.

All monitors said the vote was free, although not always fair.

Listen to the full interview on Sabahul Muslim with Sulaimaan Ravat here