What is the latest status of the Istanbul polls on the AKP's desk?

There are only a few days left until the local elections on March 31, 2024. In Istanbul, one of the cities where the critical election is most anticipated, the race is expected to be between the current Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu and the AKP and MHP candidate Murat Kurum.

Meanwhile, public opinion research companies continue their polling efforts.

UNDECIDED VOTERS LEAVE THEIR MARK

Most recently, Gazete Pencere columnist Nuray Babacan reported that in the polls reaching the AKP, the current mayor and CHP's Istanbul candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu and Murat Kurum are neck-and-neck, and the rate of undecided voters has risen to 15 percent.

Babacan wrote the following regarding Istanbul and Ankara:

"The polls shared with the public are also reaching the AKP. There is a claim that there have been several consecutive polls conducted recently, in which İmamoğlu appears to be 2 or 3 points ahead, while the situation remains neck-and-neck in their own internal polls. Some party members state that the rate of undecided voters in Istanbul is around 15 percent, that half of them will return to their party due to ideological preferences, and that the decision made by the remainder will be decisive.

New promises and new projects will be announced in the final stretch to address Murat Kurum's momentum, which has failed to rise. As we have written before, the ministries' Istanbul-focused projects will be launched to coincide with this period.

Efforts are being made to provide support with issues such as the transformation of Atatürk Airport into a Techno Park and the Haydarpaşa Train Station project announced last week."

As for Ankara, there is no significant change in the atmosphere within the party. Mansur Yavaş is clearly ahead. It is argued that only Turgut Altınok has gained a few points of momentum, but this has not significantly affected the gap, which remains at 13 points. The Ankara team believes they are being neglected and left alone in the campaign.

"A MORE INTERESTING OBSERVATION IS..."

A more interesting observation concerns the districts of Ankara. There are those who say that Mansur Yavaş's likely victory in the capital could have negative consequences for the AKP in the districts.

Specifically, it is stated that voters tend to prefer the party of the candidate they voted for in the metropolitan municipality in the district elections as well. It is assessed that this situation could lead to an increase in CHP votes in Ankara's districts, and even cause some districts currently held by the AKP to switch to the CHP."

News Source: 12punto