Home > 4 Types of elections > TÜRKIYE - Joint Opinion on Amendments to the Electoral Legislation and Related "Harmonisation Laws" Adopted in March and April 2018
 
 
 
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Paragraph 56
 

Article 8A(2)b provides for a deposit equal to ten monthly salaries of the highest-ranking civil servant for a self-nominated candidate for presidential elections. The requirement of a deposit aims at avoiding the nomination of many candidates without a realistic chance to be elected and/or without any notable support. The amount of the deposit is however high and requires the candidate to collect financial support or donations before the campaign starts. The provision also requires that the money be deposited even before the 100,000 signature-collection process is carried out so that the aspirant must pay the money before he/she knows whether or not he/she has sufficient voter support. The deposit is only returned if the person collects enough signatures and is registered to run (or in case of death). The Venice Commission and ODIHR recommend requiring a deposit from independent presidential candidates only when the criteria for registration are satisfied.