Education Ministry still mum as People’s Alliance’s continue with election canvassing at schools

Turkish law does not allow election canvassing at schools but that has not deterred the People’s Alliance from campaigning in schools, according to a media report.

All eyes are now on the Ministry of Education to respond to this, as the law forbids.

Local election candidates of People’s Alliance, formed by the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), have been putting up banners on schools’ buildings and giving electoral speeches at schools.

The Ministry of Education remains silent in dealing with candidates who carry out electioneering activities at schools, despite being banned by the law, according to a report published by Cumhuriyet daily on Monday.

The Minister responsible for education, Minister Ziya Selcuk has been actively participating in electoral campaign events for the People’s Alliance. The candidates of the electoral coalition also took the liberty to carry out electioneering activities for the March 31 local election at school buildings.

Engin Akel, a mayoral candidate for Kâhta municipality, has been revealed as someone who has been visiting schools in his electoral district and giving speeches to teachers and students, together with AK Party Adıyaman MP Fatih Toprak.

Sezai Bukru, AK Party mayoral candidate for Devrek municipality, also visited schools in his district and addressed principals, teachers, and students.

Nazmi Basaran, MHP’s mayoral candidate for Ayvalik municipality, put up a poster of MHP leader Devlet Bahceli on a high school building in his district only to be put down after students reacted to it.

AK Party mayoral candidate for Muratpasa municipality, Gokcen Ozdogan Enc, also put up his posters at a secondary school building in her district.

Minister Selcuk has reportedly been criticized by the opposition for remaining unresponsive to this unlawful propaganda made in schools.

According to article 51 of Decree No. 298 dated December 20, 2018, on indoor electioneering activities, “indoor meetings shall be prohibited in temples, schools, military barracks, military headquarters, military units, buildings, and facilities as well as in other places where public services are rendered.”

Unfair coverage by public broadcaster TRT as AKP get more airtime than opposition parties

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from IPA NEWS https://ipa.news/2019/03/19/education-ministry-still-mum-as-peoples-alliances-continue-with-election-canvassing-at-schools/