CHP leader urges support for Istanbul candidate

By Muhammet Emin Avundukluoglu

ANKARA (AA) - Turkey’s main opposition leader urged Istanbul residents Tuesday to vote for his party’s candidate in re-run elections next month.

"Ekrem Imamoglu does not work for the people who are rich or rentier, but for the people who are getting on the buses," Kemal Kilicdaroglu told his Republican People's Party's (CHP) parliamentary group.

"I am calling on the people living in Istanbul's suburbs and poor neighborhoods, you are obligated to vote for Ekrem Imamoglu in the June 23 elections," he said. "He has not defended the rights of rich people but of you," he said.

Kilicdaroglu also said that he was trusting the conscience and foresight of people living in the city.

Turkey's top election council (YSK) canceled results of the March 31 Istanbul vote after the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party and opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) appealed, citing irregularities and contradictions with the country's election law.

According to the council, the decision was taken due to some ballot committee members, who served during the vote, were not civil servants, as required by law.

Imamoglu was issued a mayoral certificate by the YSK but the election board canceled it May 6.