TESK President Palandöken Demands Postponement and Measures for September 30 General Assembly
TESK President Bendevi Palandöken stated that fraud was involved in the general assembly elections scheduled for September 30 and that public resources were being used, demanding the postponement of the elections.
Turkey Confederation of Tradesmen and Craftsmen President Bendevi Palandöken called for measures to be taken and the elections to be postponed, arguing that the general assembly to represent 2.5 million tradesmen was compromised.
Allegations of Irregularities Before the General Assembly
TESK President Bendevi Palandöken stated that the election processes were compromised ahead of the general assembly scheduled for September 30 and that urgent measures must be taken against this situation.
Speaking at a press conference held at the TESK General Headquarters, Palandöken announced that they requested from the Ministry of Trade that the process be postponed so that the upcoming elections can be held in a healthy, objective, and democratic environment.
Public Resources and Blackmail Allegations
Claiming that candidate and TŞOF President Mehmet Yiğiner illegally transferred funds from federation resources to secure the votes of delegates, Palandöken stated that actions were being taken with elements of blackmail and organized threats.
Palandöken noted that they have brought these irregularities and allegations aimed at winning the elections to the relevant authorities, submitted notifications to the Ministry of Trade, and filed criminal complaints with the prosecutor's office.
Emphasis on the 80-Year-Old Professional Organization
Expressing that an 80-year-old rooted professional organization is being attempted to be seized through threats, money, and material interest relations, Palandöken argued that public resources are being used directly as election investments.
It was reiterated that intervention is expected from authorized bodies to put an end to these irregularities occurring in a structure representing various professional groups such as market vendors, coffeehouse owners, butchers, and restaurateurs.