Fraud probe at CHP Istanbul meeting may impact national congress
Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu spoke at CHP's 20th Extraordinary Congress, named the 'Second Century Change Congress,' held at ATO Congresium, where CHP Chairman Ozgur Ozel and Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavas also addressed the attendees. Ankara, Türkiye, Sept. 7, 2024 (AA Photo)
Following claims of irregularities at the main opposition Republican People’s Party’s (CHP) 38th Ordinary Congress, an investigation has been launched into alleged fraud in the Istanbul Provincial Congress.
While the outcome of the investigation into the congress remains uncertain, journalist and writer Baris Yarkadas remarked, “If the provincial congress is annulled, the entire congress will be annulled.”
Allegations of fraud in Istanbul provincial congress
The Istanbul Public Prosecutor’s Office has initiated an investigation following allegations of electoral fraud and violations of the Election Law during the CHP Istanbul Provincial Congress elections.
Key victory in the provincial congress
During the CHP Istanbul Provincial Congress, held on Oct. 8, 2023, Ozgur Celik, a candidate supported by Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB) Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu and CHP Deputy Leader Ozgur Ozel, won the race for provincial president.
Official results revealed that in the election, where 196 delegates were elected, Celik received 342 votes, while Cemal Canpolat, the candidate backed by CHP Headquarters, received 310 votes. With this victory, Celik took office as the CHP Istanbul Provincial Chairman after the congress.
‘If provincial congress is annulled, national congress will be annulled too’
Speaking on TGRT News’ “Taksim Meydani” program, journalist Baris Yarkadas drew attention to the investigations of both the CHP’s 38th Ordinary Congress and the Istanbul Provincial Congress.
Yarkadas stated: “If the provincial congress is annulled, the congress will also be annulled. This is because 190 delegates from Istanbul directly influence the outcome of the congress.”
Why is Istanbul provincial congress important?
Yarkadas emphasized the connection between the provincial congress and the national congress, stating: “Istanbul has 600 delegates, and 190 of them went to Ankara to vote in the national congress. These 190 delegates make up one-sixth of the total delegates. If they didn’t attend the congress, it wouldn’t have been able to take place.”
How did investigation into provincial congress begin?
Yarkadas explained that the investigation was initiated based on statements by Tolgahan Erdogan and Ferihan Karasu.
Karasu had made a lengthy speech shortly before the local elections. Yarkadas also shared that he had spoken to both individuals and mentioned that while Tolgahan had already provided a statement, Ferihan Karasu had not yet done so.
Special statement from CHP Istanbul provincial chairman Celik
In a conversation with Baris Yarkadas, Ozgur Celik expressed his frustration with the investigations, saying: “I’m tired of these investigations. Our congress was very transparent.”
Yarkadas also added: “CHP members are going to the courthouse almost every day and are being pressured in the corridors of the courthouse.”
