Turkiye: Protests likely in several cities nationwide in reaction to alleged vote reallocation during March 31 local elections in Van

Protests are possible in several cities across Turkiye through at least early April in reaction to alleged irregularities during the March 31 local elections in Van. Thousands of activists took to the streets and clashed with police April 2 after the Van Provincial Election Board declared the candidate from the ruling Development and Justice Party (AKP), Abdulahat Arvas, the city's new mayor despite his having won only 27 percent of the vote, with the opposition Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Parti) candidate Abdullah Zeydan taking 55 percent. DEM Parti leadership has threatened to continue protest action in the city of Van until the Provincial Election Board reverses its decision; demonstrations have largely focused around Republic Avenue (Cumhuriyet Caddesi) in the city center.

Opposition groups have also planned demonstrations in other cities to condemn the election in Van. Organizers have announced the following specific gatherings for April 2:

• Diyarbakir: Protest at Rojava Park on Diclekent Bulvari starting at 17:30

• Istanbul: Protest outside the DEM Parti's offices in the Kadikoy district starting at 18:00

• Izmir: Protest in front of the Turkan Saylan Cultural Center on Cyprus Martyrs Avenue (Kibris Sehitleri Caddesi) in the Alsancak district starting at 19:00

Related demonstrations are also possible in other Turkish cities over the coming days, especially in the nation's largely ethnic Kurdish southeastern provinces. Additional clashes are likely during any such gatherings that may materialize; Turkish police are often quick to deploy tear gas and water cannons to disperse opposition protests.