YENİ Party Deputy Questions CHP Over Menderes Election Controversy

Tensions remain high following the Menderes Municipality deputy mayoral election, which saw the AKP's Asuman Şen emerge victorious. YENİ Party İzmir Deputy Ednan Arslan has sharply criticized the Republican People's Party (CHP), challenging its Secretary-General Rıfat Nalbantoğlu's claims that no CHP council members voted for the AKP candidate.

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Those who left the election, which they handed over with their own hands, after looking at their phones at the signal of an AKP municipal council member in the third round of the Menderes Municipality Deputy Mayor election, and then went to the AKP Menderes district office to celebrate this result, are evident.

Arslan shared footage on social media depicting events during the election's third round. He alleged that a CHP council member left the hall after receiving a signal on their phone and later celebrated the outcome at the AKP Menderes district office. "Those who left the election, which they handed over with their own hands, after looking at their phones at the signal of an AKP municipal council member in the third round of the Menderes Municipality Deputy Mayor election, and then went to the AKP Menderes district office to celebrate this result, are evident," Arslan stated.

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If you are so sure about this CHP council member, why did you put them under discipline?

He further questioned the CHP's internal disciplinary actions, referencing the party's statement that disciplinary proceedings were being considered against members who did not follow instructions to support the YENİ Party candidate. "If you are so sure about this CHP council member, why did you put them under discipline?" Arslan asked, demanding an explanation for the apparent contradiction. He also highlighted that CHP council member Harun Bila had admitted to voting for the AKP candidate and was subsequently referred for expulsion by the CHP İzmir Provincial Board.

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We gave instructions to our council members as the General Center to support the Yeni Parti's candidate. Disciplinary proceedings against our municipal council members who did not follow our instructions are being evaluated.