Press Release – For Immediate Release
10 July 2023
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WASHINGTON — The East Turkistan Government-in-Exile (ETGE), representing East Turkistan and its quest for independence, has successfully completed revolutionary exiled parliamentary candidate elections across North America. This historic initiative marks a strengthened democracy within the exiled administration, increasing its political relevance and empowering the East Turkistani/Uyghur to select their own political future through local elections for parliamentary candidates.
Parliamentary candidate elections are being held across the East Turkistani/Uyghur diaspora until July 15th prior to the upcoming 9th Parliament and General Assembly of the East Turkistan Government in Exile. The 9th General Assembly will be held in Washington, DC from November 10th to November 12th, 2023, where a new parliament will be inaugurated, fulfilling the promise of a democratic, empowered future for East Turkistan.
Integrity of the electoral process is critical, and the East Turkistan Government in Exile’s Election Commission has set strict standards for prospective parliamentary candidates, including comprehensive background checks and a commitment to regaining East Turkistan’s independence. Strong safeguards have been put in place to prevent Chinese and foreign intelligence penetration. The Election Commission of the East Turkistan Government in Exile has removed arbitrary appointments, firmly placing the ability to elect representatives in the hands of the people. The election results for parliamentary candidates were mostly positive.
The East Turkistan Exile Government’s Parliament has previously completed local parliamentary candidate elections for the East Turkistani/Uyghur diaspora community in Europe from June 24th to July 5th.
On July 8th, 2023, the East Turkistani/Uyghur diaspora community in the United States gathered in Arlington, Virginia, to elect parliamentary candidates, with some members voting online. The local parliamentary candidate elections began with the East Turkistan national anthem, followed by President Ghulam Yaghma’s speech urging the East Turkistani people to join in building and administrating their own government.
In the United States, 10 members of the general public were elected as parliamentary candidates, including five young members and two female representatives, reflecting the government’s inclusivity and addressing the lack of representation of women and young individuals in previous governments.
On July 9, 2023, Canada held elections in Toronto and Edmonton, Alberta. The East Turkistan Government in Exile’s Election Commission’s agenda was adhered to, the requirements for parliamentary candidates were read aloud, the electoral procedure was explained, the public nominated candidates, and elections were conducted.
In Canada, ten East Turkistani/Uyghur candidates, including one woman, were elected as parliamentary candidates, reflecting the government’s expanding influence among the diaspora.
These milestone public elections of parliamentary candidates not only enables the East Turkistani / Uyghur diaspora to determine their own political future through democracy, but also represents a significant step forward in bolstering the East Turkistan Government in Exile and East Turkistan’s fight to restore its national independence.
