In a strong unity, thousands of Turks participated in the polls with a symbolic vote organized by the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), following the arrest of the popular former mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, AFP Report.

The vote was originally the main nomination of Imamoglu as a candidate for the presidential candidate for the Health Commission, and evolved into a national act of resistance.

“We won’t succumb to despair,” Aslihan, 38, announced in a queue, referring to the massive protests that have erupted since Imamoglu’s detention. In a strategic move, the Centre for Health Protection opened a public vote beyond 1.7 million members to the public, turning it into an informal referendum on the political future of prison leaders.

Istanbul City Hall reported 15 million votes, of which 13.2 million were from non-party members. Overwhelming turnout forced authorities to expand the voting range for three and a half hours in 5,600 ballot boxes in all 81 cities.

Frustrated by the political climate, Ferhat, 29, said: “Whenever there is a strong opponent (to Erdogan) to be sentenced to jail.” “There is currently a dictatorship in Türkiye, and that’s all.”

The demonstrations gathered strength at the heart of the ongoing protests Istanbul City Hall. “We come to support our mayor,” said Kadriye Sevim. Ece Nazoskoc, 18, added: “There is no right to do this to the Turkish youth or the Turkish people. We will object until the end.”

In the childhood of President Erdogan’s childhood neighbor Erdogan, voters were in trouble in areas such as Kadikoy and Kasimpasa. A similar scenario was unfolded nationwide from Ankara and Diyarbakir to rural Thrace.

“This is the first massive protest since the Gates protest,” Asleyhan reflects. “I feel stronger and more hopeful. But I think this is our last chance.”