CHP Council Member Ekrem Baki, Arrested Before the Üsküdar Deputy Mayor Election, Was Released and Resigned

CHP Council Member Ekrem Baki, who was arrested before the Üsküdar Deputy Mayor election, was released.

Baki, who shared his resignation on his social media account, wrote:

"Dear fellow citizens of Istanbul, dear citizens, after the developments that were reflected in the public opinion in Üsküdar, as a requirement of my responsibility towards our people and my conscience, I resigned from my membership of the Republican People's Party, Üsküdar Municipal Council and Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Council as of 25.09.2026, with the belief that the positions are temporary. I have tried to say what I know to be right throughout my life and to live accordingly. I have also shared my views and suggestions regarding the current local and national government crisis openly with the relevant people. "This decision is a decision I made in line with my political principles at the end of this process. From now on, I will continue to work as much as I can to contribute to Üsküdar, Istanbul and our country. I would like to thank everyone who supported me in this process and respectfully announce my decision to the public."

The member who will replace Ekrem Baki will be called from the AKP. According to the law, if a council member resigns, the substitute member is called from the party from which the resigned person was elected.

The regulation in question is explained in the law as follows:

"For the vacant main membership in municipal councils, if the main membership is opened from those who have moved to another political party or remained independent after being elected as the main member of the council from a political party list, the substitute member of the party to which these members belonged at the time they were elected to the council is called."