Istanbul Governorship Announced September 5, 2026 for the Üsküdar Deputy Mayor Election

Istanbul Governorship made a statement: "There are allegations in some media organizations and social media accounts that our governorship has determined the meeting date in a way that will give a political party an advantage in the election. These allegations have no meaning beyond the purpose of manipulating the election process."

'10 DAYS' STATEMENT FROM THE GOVERNORSHIP

In the statement made by the Istanbul Governorship, it was said:

“As the Governorship of Istanbul, in accordance with our obligation arising from Article 45 of the Municipality Law No. 5393, we called the Üsküdar Municipal Council to a meeting to elect the deputy mayor on Saturday, September 5, 2026. Article 45 of the Municipal Law No. 5393, titled "Actions to be taken in case of vacancy of the mayor's office", states: "In case the mayor's office is vacant for any reason, the municipal council will be convened by the governor within ten days." "In accordance with subparagraph (b) of the first paragraph of the same article, in case the mayor is suspended from office or arrested, the municipal council elects a deputy mayor from among its members. The last day of the ten-day period following the date of 26 August 2026, taken as basis by our governorship, is Saturday, September 5, 2026. It is seen that some media organizations and social media accounts make allegations that our governorship determined the meeting date in a way that will give a political party an advantage in the election. These allegations go beyond the purpose of manipulating the election process. "It doesn't make any sense."

'PRESSURE' CLAIM FROM THE NEW PARTY

Recalling the process that took place after Sinem Dedetaş was removed from her post as Üsküdar Mayor, New Party Group Deputy Chairman Murat Emir said: "The deputy mayor election was held on August 5. We had 27 municipal council members and it was a fact known to everyone that we could easily win this election. Afterwards, although our candidate received 26 votes in the first round, he was able to receive 22 votes in the 4th round. When you look at how the 26 votes decreased to 22 votes during these rounds; pressure on our members, We know that suggestions, threats, and suggestions were made and that, as a result, attempts were made to influence the votes of our members.

NEW DETENTIONS

On the morning of September 2, the day the Istanbul Governorship finalized the election by saying "We will hold elections on September 5," Municipal Council Member Mithat Özdemir and Amine Cansu Çelik were taken into custody. They are currently in Homeland Security. These people will vote on the 5th of the month and we still do not know when their statements will be taken. This morning, Municipal Council Member Ekrem Baki was detained. Our two municipal council members, Nihat Doğan and Ali Aral, are being summoned from other cases and their statements are being taken. They send Nihat Doğan, and they tell the President of the Council, Ali Aral, 'Come to the statement, but come without a lawyer.' 3 municipal council members are in custody, and 2 of them were summoned and put under pressure due to other files. They claim that they will hold elections on September 5. If they hold an election and succeed, 'Finally democracy has arrived. They will say, 'Look, we will represent the will of the people of Üsküdar.'