Opposition slams ruling alliance on Istanbul re-vote

Good Party leader Meral Aksener says coup was carried out against will of nation

By Muhammet Emin Avundukluoglu

ANKARA (AA) - Turkey's opposition Good (IYI) Party leader on Tuesday slammed the ruling party alliance over a revote in Istanbul on June 23.

"It was a coup made against the will of our nation by Supreme Election Council on May 6," Meral Aksener told her party's parliamentary group.

Aksener noted that they will never forget the cancellation of Istanbul elections "although the ruling party and its small ally will try to erase it from our memories."

The ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party and opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) formed the People's Alliance ahead of the June 24 general elections.

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 a number of ballot committee members not being civil servants, as required by law.

Ekrem Imamoglu had been issued his mayoral certificate by the YSK, later annulled on May 6.

Kaynak: