On April 18, Turkey's Supreme Election Board excluded twelve independent candidates from running for the general election in June. The candidates support the pro-Kurdish BDP.

The decision set off a wave of protests all over Turkey, including Istanbul and Ankara.. The biggest demonstrations came in the predominately Kurdish southeastern regions.

All barred candidates were going to support the pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) in the parliamentary elections on 12 June.

They had registered as independents to circumvent the legal requirement that a party needs 10% of the vote for parliamentary representation. Many see the barrier as a means to prevent Kurdish representation.

Turkey's Supreme Election Board now says it will review its earlier decision to ban the twelve candidates.

Photo: Bianet