Üstel: UBP Election Results Must Be Respected

In a statement following the election held on October 24, Üstel said the party had conducted one of its most transparent, orderly and modern internal elections, with members voting freely and without the problems experienced in previous years.

He said the process would produce a list of 50 parliamentary candidates from a pool of 80 people, including quota candidates, meaning that 30 would not make the final list. While acknowledging the disappointment of those who failed to secure a place, Üstel stressed that the decision had been made by party members at the ballot box.

Üstel said he had listened to objections submitted to the party’s Divan Committee, consulted on the matter and conducted the necessary reviews. However, he insisted that the results reflected the members’ will and were binding on everyone, regardless of whether they were pleased with the outcome.

“Members’ will is binding on all of us. It is binding when we get the result we want, and it is binding when we do not,” he said.

Üstel added that he had learned from media reports about some objections and statements by certain MPs indicating that they might withdraw their candidacies. He said running for office or withdrawing from the race was a personal decision, but accused those who attacked the party over their results or ranking of undermining the election and disregarding the choices of thousands of members.

“Anyone who has an objection can submit it, and every objection will be assessed. But no one has the right to disregard the will of thousands of our members based on their own result,” he said.

Calling on candidates to reflect on their own performance and relationships with party members, Üstel said personal political ambitions should never take precedence over the UBP.

Describing the UBP as a party committed to a cause, he said positions and rankings could change, but the party’s responsibility to the country remained unchanged. He added that the party would continue its work while protecting unity and solidarity.

Üstel thanked all members who voted, the candidates who took part in the race, the Divan Committee, ballot committees, district organisations, women’s and youth branches, police officers and staff who worked throughout the day.

He said the party would now focus on reaching out to the public, explaining its projects and continuing its work ahead of the next stage of the political process.