CHP wins 35 provincial municipalities in Turkey’s local elections, AKP takes 24, says election council president

Ahmet Yener, Turkey’s election council president, has announced that the voter turnout in the local elections was 78.11 percent. According to the unofficial results, the main opposition CHP has won 35 provincial municipalities, out of 81, whereas the ruling AKP remained at 24.

Monday April 01 2024 03:39 pm

Photo: AA

Duvar English

Turkey’s Supreme Election Council (YSK) President Ahmet Yener on April 1 announced the unofficial results of the March 31 local elections.

Yener said the voter turnout was 78.11 percent, less than the 2019 local elections turnout which was 84 percent.

More than 61 million voters were eligible to vote in around 207,000 ballot boxes across Turkey.

According to the unofficial results, the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) has won 35 provincial municipalities, out of 81, whereas the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) 24, Yener said.

Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party won 10 provincial municipalities, the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) eight, the New Welfare Party (YRP) two, the Great Unity Party (BBP) one, and the İYİ Party one.

Out of 30 metropolitan municipalities, the CHP was able to win 14, exceeding expectations, whereas the AKP remained at 12. The CHP has won the five biggest metropolitan provinces, namely Istanbul, Ankara, İzmir, Bursa, and Adana. The CHP-led municipalities will now govern a significant portion of the Turkish population.

As of April 1, the CHP won 322 district municipalities, whereas the AKP 324, Yener added.

“Apart from some isolated and regrettable incidents, the elections were held in peace and security,” Yener concluded.