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The main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) Spokesperson Faik Öztrak has held a press conference, saying that the Supreme Election Council is under the pressure of the government.
Reminding the YSK its "historical responsibility," Öztrak made following remarks in brief:
"The operation of stealing the lost election in İstanbul by disregarding the results emerged at the ballot boxes should not be allowed.
"We want to believe that the law will not allow the election results to be stolen through a conspiracy.
"The YSK (Supreme Election Council) faces a historical responsibility. The delay makes Turkey lose very valuable time.
"The verdict on İstanbul will influence the food, the jobs, the future of our children. We are experiencing a historical period. In this period, everyone should behave as how they want to be recorded in history."
"There was bloodshed last time"
Öztrak also commented on the pro-government media's stance on the process of appeals after the March 31 local elections, reminding the armed attack at the Council of State in 2006.
"Is Turkey a democracy, or a totalitarian regime where the one assumes office does not leave ever?
"Those who have the power cheat in an election.
"I warn the newspapers who are the 'imperial caiques' of the government. Members of the YSK have been exposed [on these newspapers].
"YSK members' photographs are being published on the partisan media. The last time this was done, there was bloodshed at the Council of State. We want to think that this kind of publications won't scare honorable judges."
What happened at the Council of State?
The Vakit published the names of the members of the Council of State, which led to the attack.
In 2006, the pro-government daily Vakit, which continues today as the Yeni Akit, published the photos of the members of the Council of State with the headline, "Here are Those Members," after a verdict by the Council on the use of headscarves by the civil servants.
On May 17, 2006, a perpetrator named Alparslan Aslan conducted an armed attack at the 2nd Chamber of the Council of State.
Mustafa Yücel Özbilgin, a member of the 2nd Chamber, died on the scene, while four members were wounded. (PT/VK)
