UPDATE – Opposition urges respect for Istanbul revote decision

UPDATE WITH MORE REMARKS BY MHP LEADER</p> <p>By Muhammet Emin Avundukluoglu </p> <p>ANKARA (AA) – A Turkish opposition leader on Wednesday called for respecting the Supreme Election Council’s (YSK) decision of a do-over election in Istanbul. </p> <p>Devlet Bahceli, head of Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), was speaking at his party’s parliamentary group meeting in the capital Ankara. </p> <p>Bahceli said his party &quot;surely&quot; respects the decision of the YSK, adding: &quot;We are waiting for everyone to pose the same attitude and same moral consistency.&quot; </p> <p>He said that the YSK registered the irregularity in Istanbul election in the March 31 local elections. </p> <p>&quot;All discussions are over. Everybody should respect YSK's decision, Bahceli added. </p> <p>On Monday, the YSK accepted the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party's objection to the local election results in Istanbul with seven votes in favor and four against. </p> <p>It said the decision was taken as some ballot committee members who served during the elections were not civil servants as required by law. </p> <p>The YSK announced that a do-over election in Istanbul will be held on June 23.</p> <p>Touching upon the U.S.’s opposition to Turkey’s purchasing of Russian S-400 missile defense system, Bacheli said the relations between Washington and Ankara are “at the worst level”. </p> <p>&quot;Threatening Turkey with NATO membership and pressuring the country with the statements of economic sanctions is an act far beyond hostility. The U.S. has no right to do this,&quot; he added.</p> <p>Tensions between the U.S. and Turkey have worsened in recent months with Turkey set to begin receiving the advanced S-400 Russian surface-to-air missile system, which Washington says will jeopardize Turkey's role in the F-35 fighter jet program and could trigger congressional sanctions.