CHP’s Imamoglu wins Istanbul’s mayoral poll

Turkey’s opposition Republican People’s Party’s (CHP) mayoral candidate Ekrem Imamoglu won the do-over election in Istanbul.

With total of 99.37% of ballots counted, Imamoglu won 54.03% of the votes, while ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party’s candidate Binali Yildirim received 45.09%.

In a victory speech, Imamoglu thanked Istanbulites for “protecting Turkey’s century-old democratic tradition.”

“You protected the dignity of Turkey’s democracy in front of the whole world,” the CHP candidate said.

He said the outcome of the election is not a “victory” but a “new beginning” for the city.

Earlier, Yildirim congratulated Imamoglu after preliminary results showed latter leading the race.

“We will try to support him in every work he will do, on behalf of Istanbulites,” he added.

Erdogan congratulates Imamoglu

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan congratulated Imamoglu as unofficial results suggested a convincing win for the CHP candidate.

“The national will has appeared once again today. I congratulate Ekrem Imamoglu, who has won the election, according to unofficial results,” Erdogan said in a Twitter post.