Turkish opposition claims victory in Ankara's mayoral election

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
31 Mar 2024 22:16
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Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavas of the Republican People's Party (CHP) says his party "will continue to serve" the city.

Opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) mayoral candidate for Ankara Mansur Yavas (C) answers journalists' questions after voting for the municipal elections, in Ankara on March 31, 2024. (Photo by ADEM ALTAN/AFP)

The main Turkish opposition party claimed on Sunday victory in the mayoral election in the capital Ankara.

Officials declared earlier that Turkey's polling stations across the country have officially closed following the municipal elections.

Ahmet Yener, the Supreme Election Board's head, told reporters that the voting process was finalized "without any problem except for a few incidents."

In Ankara, Mayor Mansur Yavas of the Republican People's Party (CHP) said, "The elections are over, we will continue to serve Ankara."

Yavas was leading with 58.6% of the vote to 33.5% for his opponent from the country's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), with 46.4% of ballot boxes opened.

In Istanbul, with more than 71% of ballot boxes opened, current mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, also of the CHP, received 50.4% of the vote compared to his AKP rival Murat Kurum's 40.9%.

"Voters have chosen to change the face of Turkey," said CHP chairman Ozgur Ozel as the results emerged. "They want to open the door to a new political climate in our country."

The Anadolu Agency also released partial official results indicating that the CHP is ahead in major cities such as Izmir, Bursa, Antalya, and Adana.

Based on preliminary figures, the CHP holds a nationwide lead with nearly 39% of the votes, marking the first time in 35 years.

The elections were held for 973 district mayors, 390 city mayors, and 50,336 mukhtars, or local government leaders, as well as the province general assembly and municipal councils.

It is noteworthy that Turkey has been dominated for more than two decades by the AKP of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The President had launched an all-out campaign to win back Istanbul, which was lost to the CHP in 2019.