CHP Congress Indictment Accepted: İmamoğlu Among 12 Accused of Ballot Fraud

An Ankara court has accepted an indictment against 12 individuals — including Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu and Izmir Mayor Cemil Tugay — on charges of ballot manipulation during the Republican People’s Party (CHP)’s 38th Ordinary Congress held in November 2023.

According to the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, the defendants face 1 to 3 years in prison for allegedly interfering with the voting process during the leadership race between Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu and current CHP leader Özgür Özel.

The charges fall under Article 112 of the Political Parties Law, and the prosecution is also seeking temporary political bans for the accused.

High-Profile Names Among the Accused

The indictment, accepted by the Ankara 26th Criminal Court of First Instance, lists a number of prominent opposition figures:

• Ekrem İmamoğlu, Mayor of Istanbul

• Cemil Tugay, Mayor of Izmir

• Rıza Akpolat, former Beşiktaş Mayor

• Erkan Aydın, Mayor of Bursa’s Osmangazi district

• Özgür Çelik, CHP Istanbul Provincial Chair

• Nihat Yeşiltaş, CHP Bursa Provincial Chair

Additional provincial and district officials are also included.

Kılıçdaroğlu Listed as Victim, Lütfü Savaş as Complainant

Notably, the indictment names former CHP Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu as a victim and former Hatay Mayor Lütfü Savaş as a complainant. The allegations stem from claims that votes were influenced through bribery, including:

• Offering money, job opportunities, and market gift cards to delegates

• Promising candidacies in return for votes

• Requesting photos of ballots from delegates as proof of vote

It’s also alleged that, after the first round of voting, the process was deliberately delayed and false announcements were made suggesting Kılıçdaroğlu had withdrawn, which prosecutors argue was intended to manipulate delegate behavior.

Political Fallout and Legal Disputes

The 38th CHP Congress, held at Ankara Sports Hall on November 4–5, 2023, concluded with Özgür Özel defeating Kılıçdaroğlu in a runoff vote. Özel secured 812 votes in the second round to become party leader.

Complaints regarding irregularities were first filed on November 19, 2023, in Bursa, before being transferred to Ankara due to jurisdiction. The official investigation began in January 2024.

In parallel, lawsuits to annul the congress results — including one filed by Lütfü Savaş — have been consolidated under the Ankara 42nd Civil Court. Court proceedings are still pending.

CHP Legal Team Denounces Indictment

CHP’s attorney Çağlar Çağlayan criticized the indictment, stating it lacks legal merit and should not be considered a formal judicial document. “There is no concrete evidence supporting the accusations,” he said, adding that witness testimonies are not corroborated by any objective findings.

“The documents submitted to relevant authorities contain no verifiable claims. Yet a crime is said to have occurred. This document does not meet the criteria of a valid indictment under law,” Çağlayan asserted.