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Ekrem İmamoğlu, the Mayor of the İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality, has answered questions by reporters in a meeting organized by the İstanbul Development Agency.
Addressing the Supreme Election Council (YSK), which is currently examining the "extraordinary appeals" by the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), İmamoğlu said, "The YSK should immediately conclude the process and remove all the question marks. The day is tomorrow, it should be no later than tomorrow."
The Mayor also responded to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's claim that "the nation is not comfortable" with the results of the İstanbul elections, saying, "Maybe those who were at the same hall with Erdoğan were not comfortable. But the people of İstanbul are highly comfortable. The employees of the Metropolitan Municipality are also comfortable."
"It should be no later than tomorrow"
In the March 31 local elections, Ekrem İmamoğlu edged his AKP rival Binali Yıldırım by less than 14 thousand votes, which lead the AKP to appeal against the results on different levels. The YSK is expected to announce its final examination by May 3.
"There is no calendar for this business. To me, the day is today. The day is tomorrow, it should be no later than tomorrow. The conclusion of the process, Turkey getting back to its business, its routine, everyone doing their own business will be healthy for Turkey.
What did Erdoğan say?
The President and the Chairperson of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) spoke at his party's assessment camp in Ankara yesterday (April 28).
"We are comfortable or not, we will respect the verdict of the YSK.
"Some things are being talked: AK Party gave up hope... We will conduct the legal struggles until the very last minute.
"This is a struggle about the election law. And we are determined to pursue this until the end.
"Our nation says, 'I am not comfortable with these results, there is definitely blemish. Removing this blemish is a must for us to be relieved with our nation." (EKN/VK)