21.05.2026 21:30
The court's absolute nullity decision regarding the CHP congress has been finalized. The official decision stating that Özgür Özel and his administration have been dismissed and that former CHP Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu has been reinstated has been delivered to both the CHP Headquarters and Kılıçdaroğlu.
The 36th Civil Chamber of the Ankara Regional Court of Appeals (BAM) annulled the 38th Ordinary Convention of the CHP in 2023, where Özgür Özel was elected chairman, ruling it absolutely void.
KILIÇDAROĞLU AND FORMER ADMINISTRATION REINSTATED
The 36th Civil Chamber of the Ankara Regional Court of Appeals (BAM) ruled in the CHP convention case that Özgür Özel and the party administration be temporarily suspended from duty, and that Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu and his administration take over the duty.
With the ruling, it was stated that the administrations of Chairman Özgür Özel, the Central Executive Board (MYK), the Party Assembly (PM), and the High Disciplinary Board (YDK) became legally invalid.
DECISION OFFICIALLY COMMUNICATED
While the CHP stated it would not recognize the court's decision, a new development occurred. The court's absolute nullity decision was communicated to both the CHP Headquarters and Kılıçdaroğlu.
The chamber completed its appellate review regarding the decision of the Ankara 42nd Civil Court of First Instance on October 24, 2025, concerning the verdict of 'no need to rule due to the case becoming moot' in the lawsuit filed for the annulment of the CHP's 38th Ordinary Convention held on November 4-5, 2023. Accordingly, it decided to accept the appellate appeals regarding the files merged with the main case and to reverse the said decision of the Ankara 42nd Civil Court of First Instance. Ruling to accept the case, the chamber determined that the CHP's 38th Ordinary Elective Convention held on November 4-5, 2023, was invalid due to absolute nullity and ordered its annulment from the date it was held. Due to the annulment based on absolute nullity (definitive invalidity), the chamber also ruled that all ordinary and extraordinary conventions held within the party after this date and the decisions taken therein are nullified.
In the decision, it was ruled 'to return to the situation before the 38th Ordinary Elective Convention of November 4-5, 2023, and for the former Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu and party bodies to continue their duties' due to 'the annulment of the ordinary and extraordinary conventions and all decisions taken at these conventions.'
Additionally, the CHP Istanbul Provincial Congress held on October 8, 2023, and all decisions taken at this congress were also annulled on the same grounds. The chamber's decision included the following statements: 'It has been decided that Chairman Özgür Özel, Central Executive Board members, Party Assembly members, and High Disciplinary Board members, who assumed office through the convention of November 4-5, 2023, which is tainted by absolute nullity, be temporarily suspended from duty; that Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu and the Party Assembly and High Disciplinary Board members who were in office before the convention of November 4-5, 2023, temporarily assume duty until the decision becomes final; and that the interim injunction order for their reinstatement be sent to the Supreme Election Board, the Ankara Provincial Election Board, the Çankaya 4th District Election Board, and the Ankara Governorship for execution.'
GROUNDS FOR THE NULLITY DECISION
1- It was concluded that the will of the delegates was corrupted.
By evaluating the criminal investigations, indictments, witness statements, MASAK report, institutional correspondence, and reports in the case file, it was determined that some delegates' voting preferences were influenced by interest relationships.
2- Offers of money, jobs, candidacy, and other benefits were deemed decisive.
It was established in the reasoning of the decision that some delegates were given money, promised job placements in municipalities, offered candidacy/political positions, and provided benefits such as shopping cards during the convention and the Istanbul Provincial Congress.
3- It was assessed that votes were monitored and secret ballot was compromised.
Some delegates were asked to take photos of their ballots and send them, which was considered a significant factor indicating the electoral will was not freely formed.
4- Violation of intra-party democracy and equality principles was acknowledged.
In accordance with Article 69 of the Constitution and Articles 4 and 93 of the Political Parties Law, it was emphasized that the election of party bodies must comply with democratic principles, the party by-laws, and the principle of equality among members.
5- It was concluded that there was a violation of mandatory legal provisions.
In the decision, it was stated that the alleged irregularities in the convention and congress constituted not merely grounds for simple annulment but a violation of public order and mandatory legal rules, leading to the assessment of definitive invalidity.
6- It was accepted that subsequent extraordinary conventions did not remedy the defect.
Since the November 4-5, 2023 Convention was considered tainted by absolute nullity, it was concluded that ordinary and extraordinary conventions held after this convention lacked legal basis.
7- The first instance court's approach that 'the case became moot' was found to be incorrect.
According to the appellate decision, subsequent conventions did not eliminate the absolute nullity situation in the previous convention; therefore, the legal interest was deemed to continue.
8- The outcome resulted in a return to the previous administration.
Since the convention was annulled from the date it was held, it was decided to return to the situation before November 4-5, 2023, and for Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu and the party bodies of that period to continue their duties.
ALL DEPUTIES URGENTLY SUMMONED TO HEADQUARTERS
Following the court decision, the first move of the Özgür Özel administration became clear. Özel urgently summoned all deputies to the CHP Headquarters. The Central Executive Board (MYK) also held an extraordinary meeting to evaluate the decision.
INVESTIGATION LAUNCHED INTO THE CONVENTION
An investigation had been launched by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office regarding the CHP's 38th Ordinary Convention held on November 4-5, 2023, based on allegations of irregularities. Former Hatay Mayor Lütfü Savaş and some delegates filed a lawsuit seeking the determination that the convention was 'invalid due to absolute nullity.' The lawsuit requested the suspension of Özgür Özel and the party administration from duty and the reinstatement of Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu and the previous bodies.