Turkey: Opposition appoints MPs to revote campaign

CHP forms dozens-strong group of lawmakers to serve in Istanbul re-do election campaign to begin May 22

By Muhammet Emin Avundukluoglu

ANKARA (AA) - Turkey's main opposition announced the formation of a new working group on Tuesday ahead of do-over elections in Istanbul slated for June 23.

According to the Republican People's Party (CHP) parliamentary group, a group of lawmakers were assigned to attend the election campaign for mayoral candidate Ekrem Imamoglu.

The group announced that only 16 lawmakers would stay in the capital to fulfill their parliamentary duties.

The CHP controls 144 in the 600-seat parliament, with the party's campaign planned to begin on May 22.

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: