Supreme Election Council Rejects Applications of CHP and İYİ Party

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The Supreme Election Council (YSK) has rejected the "absolute unlawfulness" applications of the Republican People's Party (CHP) and İYİ Party, which requested the complete annulment of local elections in İstanbul as well as Presidential and Parliamentary elections in 2018.

CLICK - Supreme Election Council Cancels İstanbul Local Elections

After the Council annulled the Metropolitan Mayoral elections in İstanbul, where CHP's candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu received his certificate of election after being elected the metropolitan mayor according to unofficial election results, both the CHP and İYİ Party appealed to the Council, requesting the complete annulment of March 31 local elections in İstanbul.

In its petition to the YSK, the CHP also requested that Presidential and Parliamentary elections held on June 24, 2018 be annulled as well.

Examining the appeals of both parties today (May 13), the YSK has rejected the objections of both parties by unanimous vote.

First statements by the CHP and İYİ Party

CHP Chair Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu visited İYİ Party Chair Meral Akşener today and spoke to journalists regarding the YSK's decision of objection.

Stating that "they were not expecting a different decision", CHP Chair Kılıçdaroğlu said, "The YSK is a council that rejects itself" and added:

"Just think about it: The ballot box was the same, the voters were the same, they cast their votes and put them in the same envelopes. And the YSK says, 'I don't approve one of these votes.' There is a seven-person gang at the YSK, they give verdicts upon instruction."

İYİ Party Chair Meral Akşener also stated,

"We did not have a candidate in İstanbul and there will be none again. We supported Ekrem İmamoğlu yesterday, we will support him today as well. We will work to ensure that he will win the elections by a landslide."

Repeat election on June 23

In its verdict dated on May 6, 2019, the Supreme Election Council ruled that only the İstanbul Metropolitan Mayoral elections be annulled. The same voters will cast votes in the İstanbul local election rerun.

The certificate of election of Ekrem İmamoğlu, who won the elections according to unofficial results, has been revoked. Until the repeat elections to be held on June 23, İstanbul Governor Ali Yerlikaya will act as Deputy Metropolitan Mayor of the city. (AS/SD)