The High Election Council (YSK) reaffirmed its authority on Sept. 24, rejecting a civil court ruling that sought to halt the CHP’s Istanbul Provincial Congress just minutes before it began.
In response to the 45th Civil Court of First Instance's last-minute suspension order, the YSK convened urgently and issued a clear statement: “A congress already in progress cannot be stopped.”
The Sarıyer District Election Board, which had requested guidance after receiving the court memorandum, was told by the YSK that the event should proceed. CHP officials moved forward with the congress, calling the court’s intervention unlawful.
The Council dismissed a petition to halt the congress, reinforcing its stance that the electoral process was already underway and beyond judicial interruption.
Still, the civil court doubled down, sending another letter to the Sarıyer board after delegates had begun voting. It reiterated that an interim committee, led by Gürsel Tekin, had been appointed to the provincial leadership on Sept. 2 amid vote-buying allegations during the CHP’s 2023 congress. The court maintained that the delegates’ authority was suspended and any decisions taken by the Istanbul provincial organization had no legal validity.
