Appeal process is legitimate: AKP spokesperson

ANKARA- Anadolu Agency

Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) said early on April 2 it plans to ask the Supreme Election Council (YSK) to resolve a dispute over invalid votes in mayoral elections for Istanbul and Ankara.       

Party spokesperson Ömer Çelik said at a press conference that their appeal process is a natural one to remove irregularities in the election results.       

"The [appeal] process is legitimate. Everyone should respect it," Çelik said at the party's headquarters.       

He said there are discrepancies between reports from polling centers and vote counts for the capital Ankara and Istanbul, adding the AKP will safeguard every vote it received as it will meticulously follow this process.        

"We will respect the results regardless of the outcome, as it is our people's choice," Çelik added.

Click here for local election results in Istanbul according to Anadolu Agency

Click here for local election results in Ankara according to Anadolu Agency