Confused Turks are now asking "what's the time?" after automatic clocks disregarded a government resolution to delay a seasonal hour's change in the time. Together with other countries, Turkey had been set to "fall back" an hour on Saturday at the end of summertime daylight saving.
The Turkish government however settled to cancel the change until after the approaching polls. However, some clocks have really altered the time regardless - causing a massive confusion. Twitter users in Turkey is now using the trending hashtag "#saatkac" that also means "what's the time?" to express their dismay on the said issue.
Other countries having the Eastern European Time (EET) such as Bulgaria, Lithuania and Ukraine, and countries elsewhere, Turkey has been expected to add one hour to Sunday at the end of daylight saving time.
Turkish authorities said that the setback will mean it is more convenient when voters go to the polls on 1 November. The change in time will then finally go ahead at 04:00 on 8 November.
Turkey has cancelled time changes before, citing significant national celebrations.
However, the expanding popularity of electronic clocks like computers and smartphones means that for a lot of people, the time changed regardless of the mandate.
The 'Erdogan time'
Several Turkish citizens took to social media to express their dissatisfaction - some even linking the mandate directly to the father-like figure of Turkey's President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
According to Facebook, a British expat who did not want to be named, the time hasn't changed in Turkey, like it normally does at this time of year."
"We're on exceptional 'Erdogan time' as he decided not to apply daylight savings until after the election. Unfortunately, while he CAN still hold back time, apparently, he CAN'T hold back automatic timekeepers which seem to have gone ahead and altered the hour regardless. Thus, we're all very confused."
Twitter user @aysekarahasan said that for the next two weeks, #Turkey would be on EEST or Erdogan Engineered Standard Time.
Meanwhile, smartphone manufacturers recommend its users to override the automatic reset in their device by switching it off in the settings.
