Latest Istanbul poll: The gap between Ekrem İmamoğlu and Murat Kurum revealed! 'Slightly ahead...'

There are only a few days left until the local elections on March 31, 2024.

As the critical elections approach, public opinion research companies have accelerated their polling efforts.

In Istanbul, where all eyes are turned for the local elections, the race is expected to be between the AKP and MHP candidate Murat Kurum and the CHP candidate, incumbent IMM Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu.

Most recently, Betimar Research shared the results of the election poll it conducted in Istanbul.

KURUM COULD NOT MAINTAIN MOMENTUM

Appearing as a guest on the Medya Kritik program on TGRT Haber, Betimar Research Chairman Gürkan Duman said that AKP candidate Murat Kurum gained momentum in Istanbul following his candidacy process but has not been able to maintain this momentum in recent weeks.

'İMAMOĞLU IS SLIGHTLY AHEAD'

"In the research results in Istanbul, we see Ekrem İmamoğlu as slightly ahead as a result of the Yeniden Refah Party fielding its own candidate and the IYI Party failing to show a presence," said Duman, continuing as follows:

"There is a margin of 2-2.5 points. There are still 20 days until the elections. It is possible for the 2.5-point gap to close. It corresponds to 200 thousand votes. The gap can be closed here, but it is also possible for it to widen."

'IN PLACES WHERE DEM DOES NOT FIELD A CANDIDATE, VOTERS ARE TURNING TO İMAMOĞLU'

Stating that the tendency of voters to lean toward İmamoğlu has become evident, especially in regions where the DEM Party is strong and does not field a candidate, Duman said, "Especially in Istanbul, the fact that the DEM Party does not field a candidate in places where it is strong creates a tendency among its voters to vote for İmamoğlu. We can say that DEM Party candidate Meral Danış Beştaş has 3 percent of the vote, while the Yeniden Refah Party has a potential of 3.5 percent. The IYI Party candidate is around 1 percent."