Buket Aydın had announced her voting preference on live broadcast: Remarks on İmamoğlu drew backlash

Broadcaster Buket Aydın announced her voting preference during a television program in which she hosted the People's Alliance's IMM candidate Murat Kurum.

Aydın quoted a statement made by IMM President İmamoğlu—which was based on research regarding AKP's female voters and had been distorted on social media—and said, "My vote is not for you either, Mr. Ekrem, I would like to state it this way."

Aydın's remarks were found problematic in terms of journalism and drew criticism regarding impartiality.

SHE HAD LAUGHED AT KILIÇDAROĞLU

Aydın had also been criticized during the previous local elections when she laughed at the words of former CHP chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, who had said, "We will definitely win Istanbul, Ankara, Bursa, Adana, and Mersin."

WHAT DID İMAMOĞLU SAY?

The debate in question came to the agenda on March 5, when İmamoğlu participated in İsmail Küçükkaya's program on Halk TV. Regarding an article by Prof. Dr. Aziz Çelik published in BirGün, Küçükkaya had said, "It was an analysis by our professor... Contrary to what is believed, retirees are not the ones who vote for the AK Party the most. Women are the ones who vote for the AK Party the most..."

While İmamoğlu said "That is correct," Küçükkaya added, "I look at your rallies, I see more conservative women compared to 2019."

News Source: 12punto