05.09.2026 09:20
Following the arrest and suspension of Uskudar Mayor Sinem Dedaş, the re-held Acting Mayor election will take place today at 10:00. Tensions have risen as 4 CHP council members defected to the AK Party and 3 municipal council members were detained ahead of the vote; extensive security measures have been taken around the municipal building and some roads have been closed to vehicle traffic.
The acting mayor election, which was decided to be renewed following the arrest of Üsküdar Mayor Sinem Dedetaş, will be held today.
POLICE CORDON AROUND THE MUNICIPALITY
Due to the critical election scheduled for 10:00 AM today by the decision of the Istanbul Governorship, police teams began their watch in front of the municipal building from the early morning hours. The Istanbul Police Department's Traffic Supervision Branch Directorate announced that, within the scope of the measures taken, Çavuşdere Street (between Hayrettin Çavuş Street and Hatmi and Evliya Hoca streets) will be closed to traffic from 7:00 AM until the end of the event. Drivers were asked to use Dr. Fahri Atabey and Selami Ali Efendi avenues, as well as Evliya Hoca and Hatmi streets, as alternatives.
OBJECTIONS ACCEPTED, ELECTION TO BE RENEWED
At the beginning of the process, the CHP's candidate Sibel Tan Çetinkaya won the first acting mayor election, but it was decided to renew the election upon the AK Party's objection. The objection made by Üsküdar Municipality to this decision was rejected by the Istanbul Regional Administrative Court, and the new election schedule was officially put into effect.
DETENTIONS AND PARTY CHANGES
Shocking developments occurred in the assembly arithmetic before the renewed election. Following the defection of 4 CHP council members to the AK Party, 3 municipal council members were detained in a new operation. YENİ Party leader Özgür Özel reacted to holding an election in an environment where council members were kept in detention, criticizing the situation.
SİNEM DEDETAŞ WAS ARRESTED
The crisis process in Üsküdar Municipality began with the arrest of Mayor Sinem Dedetaş during an investigation conducted by the Istanbul Anatolian Chief Public Prosecutor's Office into alleged irregularities in building permits and occupancy permits. Dedetaş, who was sent to Karatepe Penitentiary Institution in Çorlu, Tekirdağ, was suspended from duty by the Ministry of Interior with a temporary measure.