Istanbul poll from company close to the government: The picture has changed in the last 15 days! Ekrem İmamoğlu or Murat Kurum?
Hakan Bayrakçı, head of SONAR Research, known for its proximity to the government, evaluated the election race in Istanbul between Ekrem İmamoğlu and Murat Kurum. Stating that a 2-3 point gap has emerged in the last 15 days, Bayrakçı said of İmamoğlu, "He hit the ground running, and that created a breakout."
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There are only a few days left until the local elections. In Istanbul, one of the cities where the outcome of the critical elections is most anticipated, the race is expected to be between the People's Alliance candidate Murat Kurum and the incumbent Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu.
As the elections approach, eyes are also turning to the election polls conducted by public opinion research companies.
While it is noted that there is a neck-and-neck race in Istanbul, striking statements regarding the latest poll results came from SONAR President Hakan Bayrakçı.
THE PICTURE CHANGED IN 15-20 DAYS
Evaluating the Istanbul poll results during a live broadcast on CNN Türk, Bayrakçı said that the results in the mega-city have changed within the last 15-20 days.
Stating that Kurum and İmamoğlu were receiving very similar vote shares in Istanbul, Bayrakçı said, "2-2.5 months ago, İmamoğlu was ahead by a high margin in the polls. After the candidates were announced, İmamoğlu was leading by 2 points, but 15-20 days ago, they were neck-and-neck. It is so interesting that, let alone the percentage, for example, in a poll conducted with 4500 people, 1231 people named one candidate, and 1221 people named the other. That is how neck-and-neck it was."
"İMAMOĞLU HAS MOVED A FEW POINTS AHEAD"
Stating that İmamoğlu has made a move in the last 15 days, Bayrakçı said, "Now, according to my observations, the neck-and-neck situation continues, but it seems there is a situation a few points in favor of İmamoğlu. İmamoğlu hit the ground running, and that created a breakout."
Stating that the neck-and-neck race continues for now, Bayrakçı added, "Looking at everything I have said, the whole situation is currently revolving within a 2-3 point margin. Based on my 37 years of experience, I say this: At this stage, this is all I can say. Once the gap exceeds 4.5, it would be more accurate to declare that candidate as 'leading'."