U.S. has 'concerns' about Turkey holding fair vote under state of emergency

Thomson Reuters

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States said on Thursday it had concerns about Turkey's ability to hold free and fair elections given the ongoing state of emergency, a day after Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan called for a snap vote on June 24.

"During a state of emergency, it would be difficult to hold a completely free, fair and transparent election in a manner that's consistent with ... Turkish law and also Turkey's international obligations," State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert told a briefing, noting Turkey has been under a state of emergency for nearly two years following a July 2016 coup bid.

"We have concerns about their ability to hold it during this type of state of emergency," Nauert said.

(Reporting by Lesley Wroughton; Writing by David Alexander; Editing by Eric Walsh)

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