The 31st March local elections were observed by the Congress of Local and
Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe and the delegation stated
that they were impressed by the proficiency of the Supreme Election
Council.
The same Supreme Election Council had assessed the appeals lodged by use of
legal rights concerning various provinces and towns, and had passed
decisions. While the Council rejected some of the appeals, it concluded to
re-run the elections in Istanbul. Everyone should respect this decision
that was taken on the basis of law. We do not accept politically motivated
criticism by some of our foreign interlocutors regarding this decision and
the Supreme Election Council.
Turkey has proven its democratic maturity. The decision of independent
Supreme Election Council aims at ensuring the manifestation of the will of
the electorate without any doubt.