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Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) MPs made a statement for the press in front of the Supreme Election Council (YSK) building in Ankara today (April 11) after the council ruled that the mayor-elects previously discharged by statutory decrees shall not take office and their certificates of elections shall be given to the candidates who have come second in elections.
Reading out the statement on behalf of his party, HDP Mardin MP Mithat Sancar defined the decision as "contrary to reason, law and morals."
'Provisions of Constitution, laws, circulars are clear'
Referring to the Articles 67 and 76 of the Constitution, Sancar underlined that the provisions of the Constitution as to who are eligible to stand for elections and whose candidacy cannot be accepted on what grounds are clear.
Emphasizing that the Law no. 2972 also specifies the conditions for becoming a candidate, Sancar stated that the YSK issued a series of circular letters regarding the issue all through the pre-election period as well.
Referring to the circulars in question, Sancar further stated,
"They also requested an opinion from the Ministry of Justice while preparing these circulars. During this process, candidates who were discharged by statutory decrees never became a matter of debate.
"In fact, this issue was discussed after the Parliamentary elections and the YSK stated that being discharged by a statutory decree does not prevent someone from being elected as an MP."
'We will appeal to Council of Judges and Prosecutors'
Underlining that the Constitution, the fundamental laws on election and judicial opinions of the YSK are clear, Mithat Sancar asked, "For what reason and motivation was the rule changed?"
Mithat Sancar continued as follows:
"We will raise an extraordinary objection. The YSK did not fulfil its duty while examining the eligibility conditions of candidates.
"Since members of the YSK are judges, it is the Council of Judges and Prosecutors that needs to clarify whether there is a neglect or wrongful intention on the part of the YSK. We will appeal to the Council of Judges and Prosecutors regarding the YSK members."
'26 mayor-elects not given their certificates of election'
"Apart from that, our 26 mayor-elects are not given their certificates of election, primarily Ahmet Türk, who is elected the Metropolitan Mayor of Mardin. Similarly, our Diyarbakır Co-Mayors are not given their certificates."
CLICK - 'Ahmet Türk is Not Given His Certificate of Election as a Delaying Tactic'
Decision applies to districts where AKP comes second
In six districts and towns won by the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), there were candidates who were discharged by Statutory Decrees.
In all of these places, the candidates nominated by the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) have come second.
"Our mayorships seized by the coup of the YSK"
Mayorships won by discharged candidates are as follows:
In Bağlar, Diyarbakır: HDP candidate Zeyyat Ceylan: 70.34 percent; AKP candidate Hüseyin Beyoğlu: 25.46 percent.
In Tuşpa, Van: HDP'nin candidate Yılmaz Berki: 52.93 percent; AKP candidate Salih Akman: 39.37 percent.
In Edremit, Van: HDP candidate Gülcan Kaçmaz Sayyiğit: 53.81 percent; AKP candidate İsmail Say 41.79 percent.
In Çaldıran, Van: HDP candidate Leyla Atsak: 53 percent; AKP candidate Şefik Ensari: 43.43 percent.
In Tekman, Erzurum: HDP candidate Müzahit Karakuş: 48.53 percent; AKP candidate Mustafa Ergin 46.50 percent.
In the town of Dağpınar in Digor, Kars: HDP candidate Abubekir Erkmen: 54.25 percent; AKP candidate Ömer Vargün: 44.43 percent. (AS/SD)
