The Turkish investigative and prosecutorial authorities announced that five individuals were detained amid ongoing scrutiny of social media content relating to the second round of the presidential elections. Officials underscored that posts which could mislead the public about the voting process were the focus of the detentions, a development reported by agencies including TASS that cited the prosecutors as the source.
Authorities described the actions as attempts to disrupt public order by disseminating messages on social networks that might distort the public understanding of how the runoff would unfold. The arrests come as part of a broader effort to curb misinformation during a crucial phase of the electoral process, with officials emphasizing that accuracy and public calm are essential during the runoff day and the vote counting period.
Witnesses disclosed that a person connected to the events in Turkey arrived in the country on 28 May and that clashes erupted at polling stations, with a video capturing a confrontation in the Çavuşlu village. These incidents are being reviewed by security and electoral authorities to determine any link to the broader disinformation narrative and to ensure polling staff and voters remain safe as polling continues in line with electoral protocols.
Ahmet Yener, who chairs the Commission on Elections in Turkey, indicated that the presidential runoff would proceed in the early hours of the day and that the commission anticipates tabulating the runoff results sooner than those from the first round. He noted that the country is approaching a phase where administrative staff aim to complete meticulous counts while maintaining the integrity of the process, consistent with the established timetable for the second round that began earlier in the day.
The second round of the presidential election carried on with participation from citizens who were asked to choose between the incumbent president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the challenger Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu. In the runup to the runoff, official tallies from the first round showed Erdoğan and Kılıçdaroğlu holding significant shares of the vote, illustrating a tight race that has drawn national and international attention amid heightened scrutiny of voting procedures and security measures during the runoff period.
Reporters and observers noted that the electoral environment remained under close watch as the country moved from the initial round to the runoff. Officials reiterated their commitment to transparency and the orderly conduct of the election, stressing that every ballot would be counted with care and that any irregularity would be investigated promptly. The electoral authorities and security services have prepared to respond to any disturbances, while voters are reminded to rely on official channels for information to avoid misinformation that could influence the outcome or erode public trust in the process.