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Ekrem İmamoğlu, the candidate of Nation Alliance for the Metropolitan Mayorship of İstanbul from the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), has commented on the decision of the Supreme Election Council (YSK) to recount the recounted votes in Maltepe.
CLICK - Recounting of Votes Stops in Maltepe; Votes Counted Again
Making a call to the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), İmamoğlu has stated that it is the AKP members who demanded the recounting of votes and stopped the recounting.
'You both wanted recount and tried to prevent it'
Addressing the journalists in the district of Esenler in İstanbul, İmamoğlu has made the following remarks:
"When the elections came to an end, it was the AK Party which objected to the process, putting forward all these reasons. In these objections, you said 'invalid votes should be counted', they were counted. In some districts, you said 'all votes should be counted', they were counted. In some districts, 57 ballot boxes were specified in İstanbul and they were also counted.
"Then, you said 'Maltepe', votes in Maltepe were also counted. You said 'they should be counted quickly', then, the number of balloting committees was increased so that the counting would not take a month. It was you who said that votes should be counted and it was also you who said that they should not be counted. I cannot understand it.
"It was you who demanded recounting of the votes and it was again you who tried to prevent it. Afterwards, it was again you said 'Why did you establish so many committees? Decrease it to two.' Do you want to count the votes or not? What is your purpose? I cannot understand it.
'Supreme Election Council should put an end'
"Your only concern is that elections in İstanbul don't end. What will you gain by buying time? What will you gain when elections are not concluded?
"The YSK has to put an end in this matter. This process is now shaking our confidence. The YSK has a national duty and responsibility. They will either contribute to the democratic process of this country or will leave behind a bad mark." (AS/SD)
