A survey conducted by the Strategic Research and Consultation Company (SAD) found that a significant portion of secularist Republican People's Party (CHP) and the far-right Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) voters do not support their joint candidate Ekmeleddin İhsanoğlu's presidential candidacy. According to the survey, which was conducted from July 11 to 13 in 12 cities and polled 1,500 people, 35 percent of CHP supporters stated that they have not embraced İhsanoğlu, who has been criticized by some members, as a presidential candidate, while 40 percent of MHP
members said the same.
Sixty-three percent of those surveyed said "no" when asked whether İhsanoğlu's candidacy was accepted in the eyes of the public while 61.5 percent said they expect the Aug 10. election to be decided in the first round.
In response to the question "who is the most suitable candidate for Turkey's future?" 50 percent of those surveyed said Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Sixty-one percent said Erdoğan would win the presidency in the first round by a margin of 51 to 54 percent. Between 43 to 47 percent said they will certainly vote for Erdoğan whereas, 32 to 36 percent stated they will certainly vote for İhsanoğlu.
Polling has taken on increased importance after CHP's leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu said to supporters on Monday, "If you want to live freely, go on vacation freely and if you do not want anyone to intervene in your life, you have to go to the ballot box and vote for Ekmeleddin İhsanoğlu as a matter of democracy. This is not a joke!"
The remarks were heavily criticized after Kılıçdaroğlu was seen banging his fist on the table as he spoke, a gesture many have said resembles authoritarianism.
The survey stated that 11 percent of the electorate would be on vacation during the election while 7.7 percent stated they will not interrupt their vacation and go to the ballot box to the disappointment of Kılıçdaroğlu. His remarks have drawn criticism from Erdoğan, who accused Kılıçdaroğlu of adopting a rude and harsh stance against CHP voters and relaying strict orders to its grassroots supporters.
