AKP candidate concedes defeat in Istanbul’s re-election

Turkey’s ruling party is set to lose control of Istanbul after a re-run of the mayoral election, initial results show. The candidate for the main opposition party, Ekrem Imamoglu, has a commanding lead with more than 90% of votes counted. He won a surprise victory in March which was annulled after the ruling AK party complained of irregularities.

Binali Yildirim, the ruling Justice and Development Party’s (AK Party) candidate, conceded defeat as initial results showed his opponent ahead with 53.69 percent of the vote with more than 95 percent of ballots counted.

“According to the result, as of now my competitor Ekrem Imamoglu is leading the race. I congratulate him and wish him good luck,” Yildirim said.

Via BBC / Al Jazeera