Turkey's Police Department and provincial governorates agree on tightening security across the country ahead of the general election scheduled 60 days later
As Turkey is going to an early election on November 1, amid the increasing terror incidents, the law enforcement units decided to accelerate security measures in western provinces which have repeatedly been targeting by the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK, militants.
Turkish Supreme Electoral Board has released its election calendar and announced last week that the early election would be held on the first Sunday in November.
Political parties are preparing for a short election marathon as the terror organization PKK, which broke off a ceasefire in early July, has intensified its terror activities after the announcement of the election schedule.
To ensure security during the election period, Turkey's Police Department has prepared a comprehensive circular regarding the election-related security measures.
Police in coordination with the governors of the most risky provinces including Diyarbakır, Ağrı, Hakkari and Van have discussed the public order and security of ballot boxes.
According to the extra security plan, security check boxes will be established every 10 kilometers to secure the roads and transport in rural areas as some recent reports said the terrorists groups have repeatedly been blocking them.
About 250 new check points will be established in the area to provide the road security during the election season.
Moreover, protection shields will be built around the schools which will be used as polling stations on the Election Day. Armored vehicles will be used to carry the ballot papers from villages and districts to the electoral centers.
The highest security measures will be taken in the polling station as dog squad and bomb experts will search the most risky stations.
İbrahim Taşyapan, governor of Van, called on all political parties to be sensitive in determining the election observers by added that they would take extra measures for the election security.
“We will increase our efforts to the extreme point to provide a secure environment for reflecting the free will of our citizens," he said.
