Van Chamber Election Dispute: White List Boycotts Chair Vote Over Alleged Irregularities

Feridun Irak, former chairman of the Van Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Van Commodity Exchange, criticized alleged vote-buying practices during the chamber elections, saying such arrangements are unacceptable. He cited examples where members reportedly offered votes in exchange for payment of membership dues or travel tickets, and called for changes to election regulations.

According to unofficial results, incumbent chairman Necdet Takva of the Blue List was re-elected, finishing first in ten professional groups. Zahir Kandaşoğlu of the White List won first place in seven groups, while İrem Bayram of the Green List led in two groups. İzzet Çoban of the Red List received 152 votes.

“We, as the 21 council members elected on the White List of the Van Chamber of Commerce and Industry, do not participate in the election and we reject it.”

The White List group announced it will boycott the upcoming chair election because its objections to the election process remain unresolved. The group cited alleged fake authority documents, NACE code transactions, changes to members' professional groups, and restrictions on some members' voting rights as grounds for its complaint.

The 21 council members elected under the White List stated they will not participate in or recognize the chair election. They said they have submitted their objections to the Supreme Election Council and will continue legal proceedings in competent courts if their applications are not accepted.

Irak also urged the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey to revise election legislation, noting that citizens with debts to tax or social security offices can still vote in general elections. He said the chamber belongs to all merchants, tradespeople, and industrialists of the city, not to any individual.