The election was completed with major fights! The Menderes Deputy Mayor election is being taken to court.

19.08.2026 12:10

The CHP Izmir Provincial Directorate is preparing to file a lawsuit with the Izmir Administrative Court for the annulment and renewal of the election, stating that irregularities occurred in the election of the Menderes Mayor Deputy and that the principle of free voting was violated. There had been fistfights during the election.

The CHP Izmir Provincial Directorate will apply to the administrative court for the annulment of the Deputy Mayor election held in the Menderes Municipal Council, following the arrest and suspension of Menderes Mayor İlkay Çiçek.

The Deputy Mayor election held in the Menderes Municipal Council on Monday, August 17, which saw arguments escalate into fistfights, is being taken to the judiciary.

The CHP Izmir Provincial Directorate has decided to file a lawsuit with the Izmir Administrative Court for the annulment and renewal of the election, citing "procedural errors, disregard for submitted petitions, and violations of legislation during the voting" in the ballot where AK Party Council Member Asuman Şen was elected as Deputy Mayor.

FISTFIGHT BROKE OUT DURING THE ELECTION

AK Party's candidate Asuman Şen won the deputy mayor election held in place of Çiçek, and the election was marked by brawls in the hall. The CHP group had left the venue in the second round.

PRESIDENT ERDOĞAN CALLED ŞEN TO CONGRATULATE

Following the election, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan called Asuman Şen to congratulate her. The conversation took place in the presence of AK Party Izmir Provincial Chairman Bilal Saygılı and party members.

During the conversation, Şen conveyed her satisfaction with the election result to Erdoğan, while President Erdoğan wished her success in her new role.

"PRINCIPLES OF FREE VOTING HAVE BEEN VIOLATED"

Meanwhile, CHP Izmir Provincial Chairman Utku Gümrükçü, who is preparing to take the process to court, argued that the election in Menderes was held under pressure, threats, and inappropriate physical conditions. Claiming that the doors of the council hall were locked during the election marathon and the right to free voting was usurped, Gümrükçü said:

"Between the 3rd and 4th rounds of the election, fistfights broke out in the council hall, doors were closed, and a great scuffle occurred. In elections based on secret voting, it is a legal requirement for council members to vote freely without being under any pressure, threat, or physical violence. The chaotic environment in the hall and the locking of doors directly impaired the will of council members, clearly violating legal security and the principles of free voting."

Provincial Chairman Utku Gümrükçü, who also claimed that the conduct and management of the session violated legislation, said, "After the fight, the deputy council chairman's request for a recess to restore order was blocked by other groups. According to the Municipal Council Working Regulations, when peace and order are disrupted in the hall, a recess is mandatory. The insistence on continuing the voting amidst chaos and scuffles has clearly flawed the election process procedurally."

Stating that the events in Menderes were unacceptable, Gümrükçü said, "The public has seen and witnessed that what happened before and during the voting in Menderes was not in line with political ethics and law. Our lawyers are about to complete their work. We will file our lawsuit with the Izmir Administrative Court requesting the annulment of the Menderes Municipal Council Deputy Chairman election and the renewal of the election. We will share our prepared petition and all our legal justifications with the public as soon as possible."