Colorful moments from Türkiye's election
In Adana, one person went to the polls in the city's traditional attire to elect local officials who would serve for five years, while another person went dressed as a king. 69-year-old Hüseyin Şen, also known as the "Adana King" due to his attire and crown while wandering around the city, cast his vote at Bilge Kağan Middle School in Çınarlı Mahallesi in the central Sarıçam district.
- Turkey
- Published Date: 01:16 | 31 March 2024
- Modified Date: 01:21 | 31 March 2024
Şen explained that he voluntarily promotes the city, stating, "All my Adana brothers have accepted me. I roam the city as a king. My goal is to promote Adana voluntarily.
I walk the streets in this attire. My attire is orange and white. These colors are the symbols of Adana. I came to vote like this today. People who take photos and videos with me are very happy. When they are happy, I am happy too."
63-year-old retiree Şahin Ünal, wearing traditional attire with a shalwar suit and a rosary in his hand, cast his vote at Buhara Middle School in Toros Mahallesi in the central Çukurova district. Ünal, who usually prefers traditional attire on weekends, explained that they spend time wearing traditional clothes at Adana's historic Büyüksaat.
He said, "Today is election day. I wanted a change. I came to vote like this. Now I will go to the historic Büyüksaat and sit with my friends, waiting for iftar. My rosary attracts a lot of attention. My rosary is indispensable to me. I may forget my ID when leaving home, but I never forget my rosary."
In Düzce, Muhammet Bişgin, a national Muay Thai athlete, arrived at the school where he would vote in the Local Government General Elections wearing an astronaut costume he designed himself.
The 34-year-old Bişgin, who left his home in Beyciler Mahallesi wearing the astronaut costume, went to Beyciler Primary School to cast his vote.
Bişgin took photos with citizens who showed great interest in him and then voted at polling station number 1085. Bişgin said he was inspired by Türkiye's first astronaut, Alper Gezeravcı, when designing his costume.
Expressing his pride in Gezeravcı, Bişgin noted that Gezeravcı made history as the first Turkish astronaut to go into space and that he wanted to make history himself as the first person to vote in elections wearing an astronaut costume.
Bişgin said he prepared the costume with the materials he had at hand, stating, "It turned out nicely. Our country is progressing, and we are proud.
I wanted to change the atmosphere of the election. I covered the top of the motorcycle helmet. The materials we use there for combat sports... I covered our beekeeper suits with foil. I designed a different model."