The Republican People's Party (CHP) Istanbul Provincial Governor Özgür Çelik called on the party's supporters, who have already cast their votes in the local elections, to head to the Greater Istanbul Municipality in Saraçhane, the newspaper reported. “Birgun“.
“We call on all those who have already exercised their right to vote in Istanbul to head to Saraçhane to defend the will of Istanbul, democracy and the presidential candidate of the Republican People's Party“, Çelik said during an interview with “Halk TV“, urging people to come out in defense of the city's arrested mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu.
Yesterday, Istanbul Governor Davut Gül extended the ban on holding rallies, media statements, marches, sit-ins and leaflet distribution, which will be in effect until March 26th. A similar ban has been introduced in Izmir and Ankara, but despite the measures taken by the authorities, protests in many of Turkey's major cities have not subsided.
Amid the protests, the HDP is holding internal elections today to nominate its presidential candidate for the next elections, which are scheduled to be held in 2028. For this purpose, 5,600 ballot boxes have been placed throughout the country, announced HDP Deputy Chairwoman Pınar Uzun Özkan. The only candidate for the post is the detained mayor of Istanbul Ekrem İmamoğlu.