The campaign period officially begins today. Yesterday, the TRNC Supreme Election Board (YSK) announced the final list of candidates for the presidential election on April 18. Apart from Eroğlu, the UBP’s candidate, the other candidates will run as independents. There are seven candidates in total: Mehmet Ali Talat, Dr. Derviş Eroğlu, Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu, Mustafa Kemal Tümkan, Arif Salih Kırdağ, Zeki Beşiktepeli, and Ayhan Kaymak.
The candidates are known. So who and what will you vote for?
Will you vote for the people your party leaders have pointed to?
For the people Turkey has ‘pointed to’ while saying, ‘I won’t interfere’?
Or for the person the UN or the EU, or even the US president, has pointed to?
Who and what will you vote for?
For the candidate who claims they will solve the Cyprus problem while keeping the TRNC alive?
For the candidate who says the Cyprus problem cannot be solved while keeping the TRNC alive?
Or do you think the solution does not depend on the candidate who is elected?
Who and what will you vote for?
For the candidate who served as prime minister for much of the Republic’s existence, ‘knows the problems’, and says today, “If I’m elected, I’ll also address domestic issues; the Cyprus problem won’t be the only thing on my desk”?
For the candidate who was prime minister before becoming president and now says once again, “If I’m elected, I’ll pay more attention to the country’s problems”?
Or are you saying, “Come on, if you knew about the domestic problems, why didn’t you solve them while you were in office?”
Who and what will you vote for?
Would a possible development on the Cyprus problem (a joint statement, etc.) change your mind about how to vote?
Will the Cyprus problem matter to you when you vote?
Or do you not believe the Cyprus problem will be solved?
And for that reason, is the vision for a solution held by the person elected president not very important to you?
Who and what will you vote for?
Are you not interested in opinions, vision, or what is popularly called a ‘manifesto’?
Or are you a hooligan?
In other words, do you think you don’t need any of these things?
Is the party logo enough for you?
Are you one of those who vote with their eyes closed?
Who and what will you vote for?
Do you ever ask yourself, “Who and what will I vote for?”
Have you ever voted after asking yourself questions like these?
Are you one of those who say, “What’s the point of that?”
Who and what will you vote for?
I don’t know, but if I’ve been able to help you question yourself, I’m glad… We’ll write more about this, but I can say this today: don’t get carried away during the campaign period; on April 18, act rationally and try to vote for a reasonable and acceptable candidate!
May the best outcome prevail…
Pay attention to your surroundings, keep them clean, and please be respectful on the road…