Armenians in İstanbul electing leaders after nine years

Photo: Miran Marukyan / Agos

Click to read the article in Turkish

Following the issuance of a new regulation for the elections in minority foundations in June after a years-long waiting period, elections started to be held in the foundations of minorities in Türkiye.

The Armenian community in İstanbul went to the polls for their foundation elections after nine years. Elections were held on November 16, 20, and also this Sunday (December 4.) More than 3.600 people cast votes in elections for the boards of their foundation for schools, hospitals, and churches.

Ortaköy Foundation election was held on November 16, election for foundations for the churches and schools in Feriköy, Boyacıköy, Gedikpaşa, Eyüp Surp Yeğya, Beşiktaş, Yeniköy, Kuruçeşme, Hasköy, Bakırköy and Yeşilköy on November 20, and elections for 10 foundations were held this Sunday.

Agos newspaper reported that new boards were elected for Surp Garabet Church in Üsküdar, Surp Krikor Lusavoriç Church in Kuzguncuk, Surp Nişan Church in Kartal, Surp Yergodasan Arakelots Church in Kandilli, Surp Krikor Lusavoriç Church in Kınalıada, Surp Nigoğayos Church in Beykoz and Surp Takavor church in Kadıköy in Region 1, the Anatolian side and Surp Santuht Church in Rumelihisarı, Surp Hıreşdagabed Church in Balat and the Ohannes Gümüşyan Foundation in Region 2, the European side of İstanbul in the elections held this Sunday.

Ballot boxes were set up in Feriköy Merametçiyan, Samatya Sahakyan schools and the hall of Yerevman Surp Haç Church in Kuruçeşme for Region 2 and the halls of the Surp Haç Church in Üsküdar and Aramyan Uncuyan Association in Kadıköy for Region 1.

Voting started at 09:00 am and ended at 05:00 pm.

1.136 people voted in Region 1 and 2.469 in Region 2. With 1.547 votes, Feriköy was the district where most people participated in the elections.

In Rumelihisarı the Blue List won the elections, which was competing with the existing board. In Kuzguncuk, the Yellow List again competing the current board won. In Balat again those competing with the existing board won with the Blue List. In Üsküdar Surp Garabed, the Yellow List won also competing and winning in Kuzguncuk.

The Yellow List winning in Kuzguncuk and in Üsküdar Surp Garabed (Photo: Miran Manukyan)

Two lists competed in the elections in Kuzguncuk, Balat and Rumelihisarı while three lists competed in Üsküdar Surp Garabed. Elections were held with a single list for the boards in Kandilli, Kartal, Kadıköy, Kınalıada, Gümüşyan and Beykoz. (HA/PE)