Ekrem İmamoğlu: They Campaign by Making Children Say ‘They Stole’

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After the Supreme Election Council (YSK) annulled the Metropolitan Mayoral elections in İstanbul and ruled for rerun elections to be held on June 23, ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) candidate Binali Yıldırım has alleged that the elections were annulled "because they stole the votes."

Sharing a video on his Twitter account, main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu, whose certificate of election has been revoked by the YSK ruling, has responded to Yıldırım's allegations.

To the question, "Why were the elections in İstanbul annulled?", Yıldırım previously answered, "Very simple. Because they stole." After he uttered these remarks, several videos were shared on Twitter under the hashtag #çünküçaldılar (Because they stole). Among the videos shared on social media are also the ones featuring children.

'I am really depressed'

Sharing a video at 4.58 a.m. today (May 13), saying "I am not really used to speaking at [pre-dawn meal of] sahur", İmamoğlu stated the following:

"I am really depressed. They are asking my rival, 'Why were the elections annulled' and he answered, 'Because they stole.'

"Do you know what is more terrible? They are running a campaign by making 3- or 4-year-old children say 'They stole.' They are doing this to those innocent, bright children.

'Don't ever take advantage of these children'

"What is mayorship to me, anyway? I am, first of all, a father of three children. Do not ever take advantage of these children! I am sorry, I am really sorry, shame on you!

"I am referring you to Allah. Seeing that you are speaking with lies and smears in this Ramadan month, I am referring you all to Allah. You can be a mayor, you can be a minister or presidential speaker... Whatever. My father used to say, 'Integrity and honesty make a person happy.' I hope that you will also become happy one day." (PT/SD)