CHP Istanbul provincial congress cancelled by court order

The Istanbul 45th Civil Court of First Instance has ruled for the cancellation of the CHP Istanbul Provincial Congress held on October 8, 2023.

In accordance with the decision, Provincial Chair Özgür Çelik and the current administration were removed from office. Furthermore, it was ruled that 196 delegates be suspended as a precautionary measure, and the congress process was halted.

In his first statement regarding the matter, Özgür Çelik stated that they had not yet received an official notification, saying, "We are trying to understand the issue."

NEW ADMINISTRATION ENTRUSTED TO BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Following the court decision, a board of trustees consisting of Gürsel Tekin, Zeki Şen, Hasan Babacan, Müjdat Gürbüz, and Erkan Narsap was appointed to the CHP Istanbul Provincial Presidency. The decision was issued by the Istanbul 45th Civil Court of First Instance.

Following an application made by CHP member Özlem Erkan on August 14, the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office had prepared an indictment against CHP Istanbul Provincial Chair Özgür Çelik on August 28.

However, before the indictment was accepted and the criminal case began, the civil court issued the trusteeship decision on the second day of the judicial year.

The grounds for cancellation are as follows:

- Although the congress was reported to the Sarıyer District Election Board, it was held outside the borders of the Sarıyer district, at the Haliç Congress Center in the Beyoğlu district,

- There were instances of vitiated consent and criminal acts involving the delegates,

- According to investigations initiated by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office and audio recordings reflected in the press, it was determined that the votes of the delegates who were to vote at the congress were influenced in exchange for money (150,000 – 350,000 TL), gifts of phones and tablets, job promises, and various financial benefits,

- It was determined that the number of votes cast at the congress exceeded the 600-delegate limit,

News Source: 12punto