Main opp. eyes ‘greater victory’ in Istanbul revote

By Baris Gundogan

ANKARA (AA) - Turkey’s main opposition on Tuesday said they are extending hand to all citizens to achieve "greater victory" in do-over Istanbul election in June.

“We extend our hands to all our citizens who believe in democracy, who carry the sense of law and justice inside, regardless of their political opinion and party they belong, in this junction which Turkey has come across,” Republican People’s Party (CHP) said in a statement issued after the party’s caucus meeting in the capital Ankara.

The CHP held the extraordinary meeting a day after Turkey’s Supreme Election Council (YSK) announced an election re-run in Istanbul on June 23.

The statement added that they believe the hand they extend will be held and it will strengthen the democracy on the election day.

“[…] We firmly believe that we will achieve a greater victory than March 31,” the statement read.

“The rule of law, the separation of powers, the right to vote and to be elected, which are the basis of democracy, are clearly eliminated by this decision [of YSK],” it added.

On Monday, The YSK members accepted the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party's objection to the election results in Istanbul, with seven votes in favor and four against.

The YSK said the decision was taken as some ballot committee members who served during the elections were not civil servants as required by law.

* Writing by Sena Guler