03:52Turkey: Istanbul residents divided over election results annulment decision
Istanbul residents expressed mixed opinions on Monday, over state's electoral authorities decision to annul the results of Istanbul's mayoral election and organise a re-run in June.
One resident described the decision as "a children's game," adding, "it was so obvious that this was going to happen." Other residents said that the reason behind the annulment was in order for the ruling AK Party to cover their alleged misdeeds in Turkey's largest city.
"You disgrace us in front of Europe, in front of the world. The decision made by the High Commission of Elections is a great mistake," said Bulent Akdeniz.
On the other hand, some residents praised the decision to cancel the results, claiming election irregularities.
"Yes, yes there were irregularities 100 percent. Otherwise the High Commission of Elections wouldn't have annulled the elections," said Aziz Kayar.
The decision was made after an appeal by the AK Party of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, which insisted that voting irregularities rendered the result invalid.
Ekrem Imamoglu from the opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) won the neck-and-neck election on March 31, in a blow to Erdogan and his party, who had ruled Istanbul for 15 years. Imamoglu was declared Mayor of Istanbul on April, 17.
The CHP criticised the decision to re-run the election. Deputy Chairman Onursal Adiguzel said on Twitter, "this system that overrules the will of the people and disregards the law is neither democratic, nor legitimate. It's plain dictatorship."
The new vote is due to take place on June, 23.
03:52Istanbul residents expressed mixed opinions on Monday, over state's electoral authorities decision to annul the results of Istanbul's mayoral election and organise a re-run in June.
One resident described the decision as "a children's game," adding, "it was so obvious that this was going to happen." Other residents said that the reason behind the annulment was in order for the ruling AK Party to cover their alleged misdeeds in Turkey's largest city.
"You disgrace us in front of Europe, in front of the world. The decision made by the High Commission of Elections is a great mistake," said Bulent Akdeniz.
On the other hand, some residents praised the decision to cancel the results, claiming election irregularities.
"Yes, yes there were irregularities 100 percent. Otherwise the High Commission of Elections wouldn't have annulled the elections," said Aziz Kayar.
The decision was made after an appeal by the AK Party of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, which insisted that voting irregularities rendered the result invalid.
Ekrem Imamoglu from the opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) won the neck-and-neck election on March 31, in a blow to Erdogan and his party, who had ruled Istanbul for 15 years. Imamoglu was declared Mayor of Istanbul on April, 17.
The CHP criticised the decision to re-run the election. Deputy Chairman Onursal Adiguzel said on Twitter, "this system that overrules the will of the people and disregards the law is neither democratic, nor legitimate. It's plain dictatorship."
The new vote is due to take place on June, 23.