Update - Turkey: Ekrem Imamoglu Becomes New Istanbul Mayor

Following a number of recounts from Turkey's local elections last month, the Istanbul mayoral candidate from the main opposition party on Wednesday received his certificate of election from electoral authorities.



Ekrem Imamoglu of the Republican People's Party (CHP) was awarded the certificate of the election at Caglayan Courthouse, where the Istanbul Election Council is located, to become mayor of Istanbul.



The certificate followed recounts in districts of the metropolis -- where some 15 million people live -- such as Maltepe, Buyukcekmece, and Fatih.



Speaking to reporters at the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality building, Imamoglu said: "I've received the certificate of the election on behalf of 16 million people [in Istanbul]."



"We are aware of our responsibility. We know the needs of this city. We know the demands of all the people living in this city and we will immediately start serving."



"All departments of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality have been transparently opened to the people [of Istanbul] as of today," he added.



Over the ongoing appeal process regarding the election results, the newly elected mayor said: "We are waiting for clear statements from the related councils immediately for the peace and happiness of people living in our city."



On Monday, Binali Yildirim, the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party's Istanbul mayoral candidate, said that it was "clear" that his votes had been stolen during the March 31 elections and gone to Imamoglu.



Yildirim told reporters that it was the Supreme Election Council (YSK) that would make the final decision on Istanbul's local polls.



The regional election council that awarded Imamoglu's certificate is part of the top election body.



Millions of Turkish voters cast their votes nationwide on March 31 in local elections to choose the nation's mayors, city council members, mukhtars (neighborhood officials), and members of elder councils for the next five years.



Contesting the results, the AK Party asked for a recount, saying the recount might change the results. -