21.09.2025 14:01
After the suspension of Bayrampaşa Mayor Hasan Mutlu, no majority was achieved in the first four rounds of the deputy mayor election. In the second, third, and fourth rounds, there was also a tie of 18-18. Since the tie was not broken, according to the rules, the Bayrampaşa Deputy Mayor will be determined by a draw. Following the decision to resort to a draw, tension arose in the council chamber.
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The Bayrampaşa Mayor Hasan Mutlu's replacement for the vice mayor election was convened by the municipal council today. Before the vice mayor election, there are a total of 37 council members in the Bayrampaşa Municipal Council.
In the vice mayor election, the CHP's candidate for Bayrampaşa was İbrahim Kahraman, and the AK Party's candidate was İbrahim Akın. The election started at 10:00 AM.
CHP'S NUMBER OF MEMBERS DROPPED TO 18
In the local elections on March 31, 2024, the CHP had 22 council members in Bayrampaşa, while the AK Party had 12 and the MHP had 3 council members. After the recent resignations, the number of CHP members in the municipal council dropped to 18. Thus, the number of AK Party, MHP, and independent members increased to 19 against the 18 CHP members.
NOBODY WON IN THE FIRST TWO ROUNDS
In the Bayrampaşa Vice Mayor election, the AK Party member received 19 votes, and the CHP member received 18 votes. Since a two-thirds majority was not achieved, the election proceeded to the second round. In the second round, the AK Party member received 18 votes, and the CHP member also received 18 votes, with one vote deemed invalid.
NOBODY WON IN THE 3RD ROUND EITHER
In the third round, where the result of the election would be determined, the AK Party member again received 18 votes, and the CHP member received 18 votes, with one vote deemed invalid. The election proceeded to the 4th round.
THE FOURTH ROUND ENDED IN A 18-18 TIE, CAUSING TENSION
In the 4th round of the election, when the result was again a tie at 18-18, discussions arose among the council members in the hall. While there was tension and debate in the hall, some members were taken to the meeting room. The election was monitored by AK Party Istanbul Provincial Chairman Abdullah Özdemir and CHP Istanbul Provincial Chairman Özgür Çelik, while citizens watched the election outside the municipal building.
THE VICE MAYOR WILL BE DETERMINED BY LOTTERY
Due to the tie in the first four rounds, according to the rules, the vice mayor will be determined by a lottery between the two candidates.
WHAT HAPPENED?
The Istanbul Governorship announced that it was deemed appropriate for the municipal council to convene on Sunday, September 21, for the vice mayor election to replace Bayrampaşa Mayor Hasan Mutlu, who was suspended from duty following his arrest as part of an ongoing investigation.
In a statement from the governorship, it was noted that Mutlu was arrested by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office on charges of "bribery, interfering with the tenders of public institutions and organizations, and embezzlement."
After Mutlu's arrest in the corruption investigation, the Ministry of Interior announced that he had been suspended from his position.
BAYRAMPAŞA MUNICIPALITY CORRUPTION INVESTIGATION
In the investigation initiated by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office against the Bayrampaşa Municipality on charges of "bribery," "qualified fraud," and "interfering with tenders," 26 people, including Mayor Hasan Mutlu, were arrested.
In the investigation, judicial control measures were applied to 19 suspects.
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