A recent state of emergency decree lifted the power of the Supreme Electoral Council to fine political parties when they violate the rules on pre-election surveys.
Although YSK will still be able to set up the rules regarding publishing pre-election surveys on the media, it will not be able to fine those who violate these rules. The Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) will be the only authority to penalise the parties.
According to the representative of CHP (Republican People’s Party) in YSK, Mehmet Hadimi Yakupoğlu, this decree means that those who pay the penalties can publish whatever survey they want.
The decision has been criticised by opposition parties because pro-government media will be able to broadcast survey results as they wish and it will lead to an unfair campaign process for the upcoming referendum
