Analyze the results of local elections which was held in 28 March 2004 and 29 March 2009 in Van within the context of ethnic identity

This study aims to analyze the results of local elections which was held in 28March 2004 and 29 March 2009 in Van within the context of ethnic identity. It isassumed that the reason behind success of different political parties in these successiveelections was connected with orientation of local ethnic structure. The voter populationliving in the region voted for AKP in 2004 and for DTP in 2009. There was not asignificant change in vote rates of other political parties so political parties except AKPand DTP had not been taken into consideration. In the study, firstly the terms ofethnicity, ethnic identy, ethnic group were defined and demographical information wasgiven about Kurdish population. Later discourse analysis was made on interviewanswers of 14 people who had participated in the study.Keywords: Van, Ethnic Identity, Kurds, AKP, DTP, Local Elections