03.09.2026 14:20
The Istanbul Governorship denied claims that the Acting Mayor election at the Uskudar Municipality, scheduled for September 5, was moved to this date to give an advantage to a political party. The Governorship stated that September 5 is the last day of the 10-day period stipulated by law, and announced that the claims are aimed at manipulating the election process.
The Istanbul Governorship made a statement regarding the debates that started over the date of the election for the Acting Mayor to be held in the Uskudar Municipal Council.
The Governorship reminded that the Uskudar Municipal Council was summoned to a meeting on Saturday, September 5, 2026, to elect an acting mayor.
RESPONSE TO CLAIMS OF "ADVANTAGE PROVIDED TO A POLITICAL PARTY"
In the statement, it was noted that allegations were put forward in some media outlets and social media accounts that the election date was determined in a way that would provide an advantage to a political party.
The Governorship strongly reacted to these claims, stating the following:
"These claims carry no meaning beyond an intention to manipulate the ongoing election process."
EXPLAINED WHY SEPTEMBER 5 WAS CHOSEN
The Governorship announced that Article 45 of Municipal Law No. 5393 was taken as the basis in determining the election date.
The law stipulates that if the mayoral position becomes vacant for any reason, the governor must ensure the municipal council convenes within 10 days. In case the mayor is suspended from duty or arrested, the municipal council elects an acting mayor from among its own members.
The Istanbul Governorship reminded that it made its statement on August 26 regarding who would carry out the duties of the Uskudar Mayoralty, noting that the 10-day period calculated from that date ended on Saturday, September 5.
"THE LAST DAY OF THE PERIOD FORESEEN IN THE LAW"
Therefore, stating that the Municipal Council was summoned to convene on September 5, the last day of the period foreseen in the law, the Governorship expressed that the procedures are being carried out in parallel with the ongoing judicial processes and within the framework drawn by the laws.
The statement continued with the following words: "It is important that this administrative process, conducted with the sensitivity of the issue in mind, is not damaged by being made the subject of political debates, in order to protect the rule of law and trust in public institutions."