Architect of Istanbul local election victory: “KILICDAROGLU will receive record number of votes in Istanbul”

Canan KAFTANCIOGLU who played an important role in the victory of opposition to win Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality in 2019, explained their recent activities regarding the 2023 Presidential and Deputy elections to be held in Turkey, today.

KAFTANCIOGLU stated that she was sure that the election would not go to the second round and that they would be in power.

Several years back, she had said “I am a candidate to win Istanbul and establish the ruling of a CHP government in Turkey”. She was elected at the Provincial Congress and took the seat of Istanbul provincial president.

After that, the CHP’s first success came in the 2019 local elections. KAFTANCIOGLU, one of the people mentioned in the success of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality’s switch from ruling AK Party to main opposition CHP of hands after a long while, spoke about the current issues such as goals, the change in her party CHP and polling station security.

“ARE YOUR STRATEGIES READY IF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION GOES TO SECOND ROUND?”

Upon the question “We know that you are working in your campaign to finish the Presidential election in the first round. But, if it goes to second round, are the strategies and steps to be taken ready by both your party and the alliance ready within the scope of election security and the campaign;? So, if it goes to the second round, what kind of strategy change will you make?

“ELECTION WON’T GO TO SECOND ROUND”

She replied “The election will not go to the second round. Let me say it from here on behalf of 86 million. But if it does, there will be no change in our strategy at all. We will continue to meet with our citizens on the field with the same faith and determination.”

The interviewer forwarded the question: “It is said that whoever takes Istanbul takes Turkey. After 25 years of winning the metropolitan municipality administration in Istanbul from the AK Party in an alliance, will you become the first party in Istanbul in the general elections?”

“OUR GOAL IS TO BECOME FIRST PARTY IN ISTANBUL”

KAFTANCIOGLU replied; “We also have a goal of becoming the first party in Istanbul in the general elections. We have announced this goal to our organization and it will not be surprising for me. While we are setting out our goals, we are making in-depth analyses to see the feedback from the field and citizens, public opinion surveys and photos of that day. When I look at these analyses, we have an opportunity that the CHP can be the first party. But there is another scientific fact, when we look at the time of voting and shaping of voters in Turkey, about 20 percent of voters make decisions in the last two months, 10 percent in the last week, and 5 percent in the last hours. If the voter does not change his tendency to vote at the last moment, it will not be a surprise for us to come out as the first party. But let me also point out that our Presidential candidate Kemal KILICDAROGLU will receive a record number of votes in Istanbul.”

“I FIND PRESIDENCY OF OUR 2 METROPOLITAN MAYORS VERY VALUABLE”

Upon the question “How do you assess the performance of Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu and your party in Istanbul since 2019… And how do you interpret the fact that two metropolitan mayors are vice presidential candidates? KAFTANCIOGLU said “I find the vice presidency of our two metropolitan mayors very valuable. Especially the fact that one of our vice presidents (candidate, currently) has been assigned to work on urban renewal, and the other vice president (currently candidate) has been assigned to rural development, is the best result that can occur on behalf of 86 million. We also find their performances quite successful, and the citizens on the street think that the tax they pay turns into services for them. Despite the fact that they want to be prevented from serving citizens by the ruling power in a political and illegal way …”

“IS THERE A POSSIBILITY OF ELECTORAL FRAUD IN THIS SYSTEM?”

Interviewer forwarded the question; “Is there still the possibility of electoral fraud in this system? Are the concerns about this issue domestic?”

KAFTANCIOGLU replied, “Those who have an understanding when they win, it is democracy and when they lose, it is a coup, has the risk of having intentions to do everything. They will do their best for this. But we, who protect democracy, will show that they cannot do this. If there is no end to the evil they will do, there is no end to the intelligence, perseverance and hard work we will display – that is, those who believe in democracy. It is normal for our citizens to be worried. But, our citizens should not turn their worries into anxiety and refrain from going to the polls in order not to live with anxiety in this land for life. The goal here is to create an atmosphere of fear and to distance citizens from democracy and the ballot box. Fear is understandable and unique to a person, but cowardice is never acceptable and especially if we have a responsibility to young people and the future. Let them trust in us and themselves, we will all take care of the ballot boxes, together.”

Upon the question, “So, is there a missing point that worries you about election security?” KAFTANCIOGLU replied as follows: “There are no concerns about election security and there are no missing points. The only concern is if our citizens do not go to the polls because of anxiety. “