İmamoğlu on ‘Re-Election’ Discussions: This Process is Now Harming İstanbul

* Photograph: CHP

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Ekrem İmamoğlu, the candidate of the Nation Alliance for Metropolitan Mayorship of İstanbul from the Republican People's Party (CHP), has made a statement for the press in the CHP Electoral Center in İstanbul.

In his speech, İmamoğlu has touched upon the appeals made to the Supreme Election Council (YSK) as well as the ongoing discussions on a possible re-election. İmamoğlu has said:

"The result does not change after all these counts. This process has really exhausted İstanbul and is now harming it. I have made a promise with CHP Provincial Chairs who came from 80 cities to support İstanbul, we impatiently want to deal with the problems of this city."

'People have become partisan, what a pity'

Regarding the discussions on a possible re-election, which was also expressed by Devlet Bahçeli, the Chair of Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) today (April 9), İmamoğlu has stated the following:

"Then, let's hold an election once in two months. Seven elections have been held in five years. People have become partisan. Let us educate these children, let us help them hold on to each other. Alas, what a pity."

Emphasizing that "the safeguard of this process is the YSK", İmamoğlu has said, "We hope that the YSK will make the rightest decision. However, the prolongation of this process is upsetting our citizens."

'The city has got tired'

İmamoğlu has continued as follows:

"The ways of counting [votes] are changing. No matter what happens, this process should come to an end now, this city has got tired.

"The city is in an immediate need of administration, we know that poverty and unemployment are still deeply felt.

"There are 350 thousand unemployed young people in the ages of 18-25 who cannot hold on to life. We must work to find solutions for the unemployment in İstanbul, where inflation is hurting people."

'I didn't threaten the media, what I did is...'

Ekrem İmamoğlu has also addressed the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and media organizations that describe his criticisms about the media as "a threat". İmamoğlu has said,

"I did not threaten the media. Threat is not something that has a place in my life, in my soul. But, I did the following: I remind some institutions how reputable they are.

"I felt sorry that such media organizations provide services in an unfair manner. What I said was that. I cannot know how they perceive it."

Concluding his remarks, İmamoğlu has also touched upon the examination conducted by the police in the district of Büyükçekemce in İstanbul upon the allegations of "fake voters" raised by the AKP. İmamoğlu has said,

"I know the people of Büyükçekmece. People call us and say that there are police officers at their doors. Pity for our police officers as well." (PT/SD)