Statement from Üsküdar Municipality regarding the deputy mayor election: 'It is not a decision to repeat the election'

Following the Istanbul 2nd Administrative Court's decision to stay the execution of the municipal council's decision regarding the deputy mayor election held at the Üsküdar Municipal Council, a statement has been issued by Üsküdar Municipality. The municipality stated that it is not accurate for the decision to be reflected to the public as a 'repetition of the election'.

The court stayed the execution of the Municipal Council decision dated August 5, numbered 76, regarding the deputy mayor election won by CHP member Sibel Tan Çetinkaya. The decision included an assessment that regarding the 5 votes deemed invalid in the third round, they were accepted as invalid even though it could be understood which candidate the votes were cast for.

For this reason, the court concluded that the election was not conducted in an 'objective, impartial, and transparent manner'. An objection to the decision can be filed with the Istanbul Regional Administrative Court within 7 days. It has been learned that Çetinkaya's lawyers will appeal the decision.

MUNICIPALITY EMPHASIZES “MISINFORMATION”

In the statement from Üsküdar Municipality, it was recalled that the process, which began with the objection of AKP council members regarding the deputy mayor election won by Sibel Tan Çetinkaya following the arrest of Mayor Sinem Dedetaş, is ongoing.

The municipality stated that the court decision does not mean the election will be repeated, using the expressions, "First of all, we would like to underline that the decision taken is not a decision to repeat the election in Üsküdar. It is a decision regarding the stay of execution."

In the statement, it was argued that even if the 5 invalidated votes were counted as valid, the election result would not change. In the assessment made by the municipality, it was stated that the votes in question were not directed at only one candidate, and that there were invalidations regarding both candidates.

The municipal statement said, "Creating a perception that the result of the election is controversial due to a vote margin that does not change the voter's will is not compatible with the public interest."

The statement, which noted that the legal review is not being challenged but that the presentation of the decision in a different framework for political discourse is opposed, expressed that it is unacceptable for the public to be misled with incomplete, incorrect, or deceptive information.

The municipality stated that the legal process is ongoing and that the decisions to be made by the courts will be evaluated within the framework of the law, calling on the public to "look at the decision itself and the concrete facts."