Two CHP members also voted for AKP: Cancellation request for the election won by AKP in Menderes

The CHP İzmir Provincial Presidency has decided to take the Deputy Mayor election, held at the Menderes Municipal Council on Monday, August 17, to the judiciary. The CHP will apply to the İzmir Administrative Court with a request for the cancellation and renewal of the election, which was won by AKP's Asuman Şen.

The election had come to the agenda due to heated arguments and a brawl that escalated into fistfights during the meeting. The CHP side emphasized that the result changed in favor of the AKP candidate due to the votes of two CHP council members, that procedural errors were made during the process, that some petitions were not taken into account, and that actions contrary to regulations were taken during the voting.

CHP İzmir Provincial Chair Utku Gümrükçü stated that the election was held under pressure, threats, and inappropriate physical conditions, and that the council members' right to vote freely was violated.

Gümrükçü said, "Between the 3rd and 4th rounds of the election, fistfights broke out in the council hall, doors were closed, and a major brawl occurred. In such elections based on the principle of secret ballot, it is a legal necessity for council members to vote freely without being subjected to any pressure, threat, or environment of physical violence."

Gümrükçü also stated that the request of the council deputy speaker, who was chairing the session, to take a break to restore order after the fight was blocked. Stating that according to the Municipal Council Working Regulations, the session should be adjourned if peace and order in the hall are disrupted, Gümrükçü expressed that continuing the voting despite this invalidated the election process in terms of procedure.

Noting that the CHP's legal preparations are nearing completion, Gümrükçü announced that the lawsuit petition and justifications will be shared with the public shortly. The application will request the cancellation of the election and the renewal of the Deputy Mayor election.