Election crisis in Bayrampaşa ends: CHP's appeal rejected, date for new election set

The Istanbul Governor's Office has announced that the CHP's appeal regarding the results of the acting mayor election held in the Bayrampaşa Municipal Council has been rejected. The date for the new election has been set for Sunday, October 26, 2025, at 18:00.

INVESTIGATION INTO MAYOR MUTLU

According to the statement from the Governor's Office, there is an ongoing investigation by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office into Bayrampaşa Mayor Hasan Mutlu for the crimes of "bribery, rigging the tender of public institutions and organizations, and embezzlement."

It was reported that Mutlu was arrested by the Istanbul 6th Criminal Judgeship of Peace on September 16, 2025, and subsequently suspended from duty by the approval of the Ministry of Interior on September 17, 2025.

FIRST ELECTION HAD BEEN ANNULLED

Following the suspension decision, the Bayrampaşa Municipal Council met on September 21, 2025, to hold the election for an acting mayor. In this election, Council Member İbrahim Kahraman was elected as the acting mayor.

However, the Istanbul 8th Administrative Court stayed the execution of the election in its decision dated October 9, 2025.

The Governor's Office stated the following in its announcement:

"Within the scope of the investigation conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office for the crimes of 'bribery, rigging the tender of public institutions and organizations, and embezzlement,' Bayrampaşa Mayor Hasan MUTLU was arrested by the Istanbul 6th Criminal Judgeship of Peace with the decision dated 16.09.2025 and inquiry number 2025/1310.

The aforementioned individual was suspended from duty with the approval of the Ministry of Interior dated 17.09.2025. During the Municipal Council meeting held on September 21, 2025, to elect an Acting Mayor, Council Member İbrahim KAHRAMAN was elected as the Acting Mayor. A stay of execution decision was issued for the council decision dated 21/09/2025 and numbered 2025/78 by the Istanbul 8th Administrative Court's decision dated 09/10/2025 and numbered 2025/1870. The decision of the Istanbul Regional Administrative Court dated 22/10/2025 and numbered 2025/1474 also rejected the appeal made against the stay of execution decision regarding the matter.

In accordance with the provisions of Article 45 of the Municipal Law No. 5393, it has been deemed appropriate by our Governor's Office for the Bayrampaşa District Municipal Council to convene on Sunday, October 26, 2025, at 18:00 to elect an Acting Mayor."

Our press release regarding the election of the Acting Mayor of Bayrampaşa, in accordance with the provisions of Article 45 of the Municipal Law No. 5393…

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— TC İstanbul Valiliği (@TC_istanbul) October 23, 2025

News Source: 12punto