Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, the chairman of Turkey’s main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), has urged the country’s election authority to settle İstanbul-related election objections as soon as possible, the state-run Anadolu news agency reported on Tuesday.
In an address to his party’s parliamentary group, Kılıçdaroğlu slammed the Supreme Election Board (YSK) for its slow-paced handling of the İstanbul mayoral election results.
“We have a colleague who received his mandate, but the YSK still hasn’t made a decision. Why?” Kılıçdaroğlu said, referring to CHP nominee Ekrem İmamoğlu, who was elected mayor of İstanbul.
“What are you waiting for?” he asked, reminding that several recounts conducted so far have all confirmed İmamoğlu’s victory.
Kılıçdaroğlu underlined that the board consists of members from high judicial bodies and that they are obliged to follow the law in the face of political pressure.
“The YSK has to reject false justifications the election losers put forward by using the government’s capabilities. It has to defend the rule of law against the pressures of those in power,” he said.
After being defeated in the country’s largest city by İmamoğlu, the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) repeatedly lodged objections with the YSK, asking for recounts and even a cancellation in favor of a new election.
The board is expected to meet on Monday to settle the latest objection.