Turkish citizens defy crackdown with mass vote for jailed Istanbul mayor Imamoglu

A massive grassroots movement took shape across Turkey as millions of citizens participated in a symbolic opposition vote, expressing support for jailed Istanbul ex-mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, AFP reported. 

The vote, originally a CHP primary to select its presidential candidate, became a wider democratic statement following Imamoglu’s arrest on March 19.

"We won’t give in to despair," said 38-year-old Aslihan, one of the many voters waiting in long lines to cast their ballots. In a significant move, the CHP expanded eligibility beyond its 1.7 million members, turning the primary into an open vote viewed as a national referendum on Erdogan’s political dominance.

City hall reported 15 million votes, including 13.2 million from non-party members. The sheer volume forced voting hours to be extended by three and a half hours. Polling stations, set up in 81 cities, saw people lining up well before the official opening time.

"Whenever there’s a strong opponent (to Erdogan), they are always jailed," said 29-year-old Ferhat. "There is a dictatorship in Turkey right now, nothing else, it’s politics in name only."

Protesters and supporters flooded areas around Istanbul City Hall. "We’ve come to support our mayor," said Kadriye Sevim from within a protest tent. "No power has the right to do this to Turkish youth or the people in Turkey. We will stand against this until the end," echoed 18-year-old student Ece Nazoskoc.

Similar crowds filled polling areas in Istanbul’s Kadikoy and Kasimpasa districts and cities from Ankara to Diyarbakir and rural Thrace. 

"We all voted, it was like a party!" said 51-year-old Sevil Dogruguven from Edirne. "In the countryside near Thrace, people even came to the town halls to cast their ballots."

"There is no such thing as a hopeless situation, just discouraged people. I never gave up hope," said retired teacher Nurcan Kabacioglu. Aslihan added, "This is the first mass protest since the Gezi protests… I feel much stronger and more hopeful. But I feel this is our last chance."