Statement from AKP candidate Arvas after Zeydan receives his certificate of election

In a written statement, Arvas said, "The Supreme Election Council evaluated the objection and ruled that the certificate of election be given to the DEM Party candidate. I respect the decision and wish for it to be beneficial to our country."

Arvas's statement is as follows:

"THEY SOUGHT TO DISCREDIT MY PARTY"

During the process that has unfolded since April 1, 2024, regarding the Van Metropolitan Municipality elections, there has been an attempt to discredit me, my family, and my party through unfair disinformation created in the public sphere. The legal process regarding the matter has been followed with patience and fortitude, and we have awaited its conclusion.

First and foremost, I would like to sincerely share one point with the public. It is in no way true that I received a certificate of election after the elections. This lie, fabricated by the DEM Party, was consciously constructed and spread to incite citizens to take to the streets.

"I WISH FOR IT TO BE BENEFICIAL"

An objection was filed within the legally defined timeframe on the grounds that Abdullah Zeydan, the Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) candidate for Van Metropolitan Municipality—who was tried by the Diyarbakır 5th High Criminal Court for spreading terrorist propaganda and whose prohibited rights were restored by the same court in violation of the Judicial Registry Law No. 5352—did not possess the qualifications to be elected and that the restoration of his prohibited rights was not in accordance with procedure. The Ministry of Justice had previously notified the relevant court in August 2023 that the decision to restore the prohibited rights was procedurally improper, but the court did not respond to the letter. 

On March 29, 2024, in line with the request and opinion of the Diyarbakır Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, the Diyarbakır 5th High Criminal Court decided to revoke the restoration of Abdullah Zeydan's prohibited rights before the election, ruling that the decision was not in accordance with the law because the 3-year period required for a finalized conviction had not elapsed, and that the candidate did not meet the requirements for election. The Van Provincial Election Board, under the Supreme Election Council, evaluated this decision by the relevant court and determined that DEM Party Van Metropolitan Municipality candidate Abdullah Zeydan did not have the qualifications to be elected and could not be issued a certificate of election, deciding instead to award the certificate to the party in second place that had received the most votes and possessed the qualifications to be elected. 

There are precedents for this in our recent political history, and as claimed, this is a legal decision, not a political one. The Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) objected to the decision of the Van Provincial Election Board and took the matter to the highest authority, the Supreme Election Council. The Supreme Election Council evaluated the objection on 03.04.2024 and ruled that the certificate of election be given to the DEM Party candidate. I respect the decision and wish for it to be beneficial to our country.

"I WILL CONTINUE TO FIGHT"

As every political party does before or after an election, we, as the AK Party, also made an application within the framework of our legal rights to correct the identified irregularity. As I stated during our election campaign, I clearly declared that our only goal was to win and that I had no intention of becoming a trustee. Our stance, attitude, and line that day are the same today. 

Those who incited people to take to the streets as a method of seeking rights without waiting for the legal process to conclude in this period are the true culprits of this situation. I condemn the political mentality that encouraged violence for three days in a way that halted the flow of life in Van, terrorized the streets and avenues, and caused public damage by targeting the lives and property of citizens. This vandalism has victimized all of Van, especially tradespeople, civil servants, workers, and students, saddened our fellow citizens, and reminded us of the past. 

Democracy and terror/violence can never coexist. This mentality, which has fed on chaos and violence for decades, subjects our city to this nightmare at every opportunity. I have never engaged in politics for my own interests. My only goal in politics has been to serve my fellow citizens, my city, and my country. I will continue to fight more resolutely against those who place their personal ambitions and interests above our country, and those who disrupt the peace of our city with terror and violence.

"I LEAVE THEM TO THE JUSTICE OF ALMIGHTY ALLAH"

The insults and threats made against me, my family, and our AK Party members for days during this process are unacceptable. While the truth is as clear as day, I return the words of those who have crossed the boundaries of decency and shame with the perceptions and slanders of evil circles, and who have said unspeakable things about us, back to them. I leave everyone who distorts the issue, speaks with the mouth of the DEM Party in an unfair and baseless manner, thinks with their mind, and therefore casts suspicion on me and targets me, to the justice of Almighty Allah. Finally, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to all our fellow citizens who supported the AK Party in the local elections held on March 31. I am grateful to all our organizations and friends who worked with us throughout the election campaign. I also owe a debt of gratitude to the ballot box and security officials who contributed to the elections taking place in peace and security. Respectfully.

News Source: 12punto