With only a few days left until the local elections on March 31st, muhtar candidates in Antalya’s 913 neighborhoods are continuing their preparations for the upcoming election. Candidates in the Selçuk, Kılınçarslan, Barbaros, and Tuzcular neighborhoods located in the historic Kaleiçi district of the city will be facing the voters.
Tuzcular neighborhood, which hosts tens of thousands of people at night due to the abundance of entertainment venues and hotels, leads the way among the 4 neighborhoods. The number of voters in these neighborhoods is quite low with Tuzcular neighborhood having 83 voters, Selçuk neighborhood having 87 voters, Barbaros neighborhood having 124 voters, and Kılınçarslan neighborhood having 318 voters.
In Tuzcular neighborhood, which has the lowest number of voters, there will be 3 candidates competing along with the current muhtar, Uğur Çetin. Muhtar Çetin, who guarantees 10 votes including his own and his spouse’s, stated, “Our relationship with the residents is very good. They see the services we provide. I am a native of Tuzcular neighborhood. These neighborhoods are very crowded at night. People even come from surrounding districts. The population exceeds tens of thousands at night. Entertainment venues are open until morning.”
The residents of the neighborhood also expressed their satisfaction with the current muhtar Çetin. Batuhan Şen, a neighborhood resident, said, “I want my muhtar to win. I am satisfied with the work he has done. He also answers our calls whenever we need him. He deals with all our problems.” Sezai Yıldız also shared his contentment with the work done by stating, “There was a lot of garbage and noise in the surrounding area due to entertainment venues. Our muhtar resolved all of them.”
In the upcoming local elections, the candidates in these neighborhoods will have the opportunity to present their platforms and respond to the needs and concerns of the residents. As the election day approaches, the residents are paying close attention to the candidates’ promises and vision for the future of their neighborhoods. The outcome of the election will ultimately determine the leadership and direction of these neighborhoods for the next term.
