Turkey is fast approaching the June 7 Parliamentary elections with political parties unveiling their campaigns, promoting candidates and promises to the public. Amid the hubbub of the politically-charged atmosphere, one issue will likely be overlooked as was in past election campaigns: Environmental pollution left behind from the campaigns. Streets will again be cluttered with discarded campaign posters and ubiquitous campaign vehicles broadcasting songs and speeches through distorted loudspeakers roaming the cities once again.

The ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party), which secured landmark victories in the past decade of elections, aims to distinguish itself from rivals by engaging in an environmentally-conscious campaign.

The party headquarters sent a memorandum to its branches across the country to act in line with the guidelines issued for this new campaign.

The party's branches are being urged to use recyclable materials such as paper and cloth instead of plastic and nylon materials in everything from banners to posters for the promotion of candidates and party slogans.

Additionally, the AK Party's campaign vehicles will not broadcast campaign speeches and songs near schools, hospitals and places of worship under the guidelines to prevent noise pollution.

The party's move to decrease election-related pollution is not something new for Turkey although it is the first time that a political party has adopted a nationwide environmentally-conscious campaign. In last year's municipal elections, local directors of political parties in the central province of Karaman and the southeastern province of Gaziantep had signed protocols stipulating that no election paraphernalia could be hung on the streets and excessive noise related to campaigning had to be reduced.