According to unofficial results in the city center, CHP candidate and current Mayor Faruk Demir received 5,049 votes, while AK Party candidate Yunus Baydar received 4,875 votes. Following the announcement of these results, the AK Party Provincial Presidency filed a complaint with the Central District Election Board for a recount and cancellation of the election.
After reviewing the AK Party’s complaint, the board decided to hold new elections with a majority vote. In response to this decision, the CHP went to the Provincial Election Board to appeal the decision for the elections to be held again. However, the Provincial Election Board rejected the appeal and upheld the decision for new elections to take place.
Following the decision, CHP candidate and Ardahan Mayor Faruk Demir addressed journalists in front of the municipality building, expressing his appreciation for the Turkish justice system’s meticulous work. He stated, “We have seen that our objection was accepted as a result of the diligent work of our independent Turkish judiciary. The esteemed people of Ardahan have once again deemed us worthy of this honorable position.” He also mentioned that he will receive his certificate of election in the coming days.
Demir’s victory in the election was confirmed with the new elections being held due to the AK Party’s complaint. The contentious race between Demir and Baydar saw Demir emerge as the winner once again, demonstrating the trust the people of Ardahan have in him for a second term as Mayor.
The announcement of the recount and new election decision sparked discussions and debates among the local community. Some supported the decision, while others questioned the reasoning behind the need for a recount in the first place. Despite the controversy surrounding the election, Faruk Demir remained confident in the outcome and expressed his gratitude to the voters for their continued support.
With the conclusion of the recount and decision for new elections, the focus now shifts to the upcoming term of Mayor Faruk Demir. As he prepares to take office for a second time, Demir has outlined his plans and goals for the city of Ardahan, promising to work tirelessly for the betterment of the community and to address the needs of the people effectively. His victory underscores the importance of democracy and the power of the people’s voice in local elections.
