General parlimentary elections during Atatürk Period: Çanakkale case (1923?1938)

Local assemblies such as the Tax Collection Assemblies (Muhassıllık meclisleri) and after that Provincial Administrative Assembly have contributed to the presence of elections in Turkey. These elections were sort of a rehearsal for the Parliamentary Elections. However the local assembly activities served as a bridge rather than an actual election on the way leading to the political life of the Constitutional Period. The first election in the Ottoman Empire were held in 1877. A temporary order was issued since there was no residing election laws. The election were held pursuant to the temporary order. A different system was applied to Istanbul compared with other Provinces. Administrative structure of Çanakkale was very different at the time. Kale-i Sultaniye (Çanakkale) was the center of Biga Sancak within the Cezayir-i Bahr-i Sefid Vilayet. Gelibolu, a district (ilçe) of Çanakkale was under Edirne Vilâyeti (Province of Edirne). Later Çanakkale became a separate Sancak administarively. Population composition of Çanakkale was also distinct during the Ottoman times. Non-muslim proportion was quite high. Therefore more than one non-muslim members were in the parliament to represent Çanakkale. A total of six elections namely 1877, 1908, 1912, 1914, 1919 and 1911 by-election were held during the Ottoman period. Deputy Election Law was enacted during the Second Constitutional Period and this law was applied from the 1908 elections, on. Including the Republic period, this law was in force with minor revisions in all elections until 1942.Together with the occupation of Istanbul in March 16, 1920, the Ottoman Parliament (Mebusan Meclisi) terminated. The Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM) met under unusual conditions on April 23, 1920 opened a new era from a political point, and national sovereignty has become a basic concept. The TBMM formed after the 1920 elections and was nourished from two sources. These were those arriving Ankara after the elections and coming to Ankara from the Ottoman Parliament in Istanbul. Because Çanakkale was under occupation during the 1920 elections. The elections were realized in towns by the Müdafaa-i Hukuk Branch Offices.After the successful National Struggle with success, Talks of Lausanne have started and decision on general elections was taken in April 1923. The new Parliament assembled with the June-July 1923 elections. The 1923 elections were also based on Deputy Election Law, however several revisions had been made. According to these, each 20000 male population to be eligible for 1 member of parliment?s election and every man at age of 18 would have the right to vote. Besides, tax paying requirement was revoked for voting rights. Elections carried out pursuant to double stage, majority principle were won by the Defence of the National Rights of Anatolia and Rumelia (Anadolu ve Rumeli Müdafaa-i Hukuk) Groups. Çanakkale was also under occupation during the 1923 elections. However the elections were carried out and even election propaganda were active. A warning circular was ordered by Mustafa Kemal when a name fraud was attempted in the elections. The winners of the elections were those nominated by Atatürk. A member was elected besides Çanakkale since Gelibolu was a vilayet until 1926. The 2nd TBMM assembled after the 1923 elections proclaimed the Republic and following this approved the 1924 Constitution, contending the legal issues concerning elections. Voting rights were given to every Turkish man of 18 years of age. Every Turkish man of 30 years could be elected as member of parliament. The removal of restrictions in elections due to the lack of the requirements of tax paying or real estate ownership was reflected to the constitution. In addition, the revisions made before the 1927 elections so military people could become candidates as long as they resigned from the armed forces.In the 1927 parlimentary elections the list of candidates declared and submitted for public vote by Republican People?s Party (Cumhuriyet Halk Fırkası) was finalized by the victory of this party. Mustafa Kemal nominated all candidates in the country by himself during the 1927 election. His candidates collected all votes in Çanakkale.The Turkish Grand National Assembly elections were renewed after four years. Second multi-partied life trial was made before the 1931 elections. Free Republic Party (Serbest Cumhuriyet Fırkası) established on August 12, 1930 was dissolved on November 17, 1930. Rules and regulations used in 1927 elections were also applied in the 1931 elections.Important changes affecting Turkish politics were made before the 1935 parliamentary elections. Women were given the rights to vote in local elections, relevant articles of the Constitution were changed so women could vote and be elected in 1934. With the reforms every Turkish man or woman of age 22 could vote to elect members of parliament and would be eligible for being elected at age 30. The 1935 elections are important in terms of women voting and become members of parliament as 18 representatives. Therefore the general voting principle was established in Turkish democracy with these elections. As a reflection of rights acquired by women, some activities happened at Çanakkale and following the year 1935, the interest of women on politics started to rise up.