The highly anticipated second round of voting for the presidential election is underway in Turkey today, marking a historic milestone in the country’s political landscape. For the first time in Turkey’s history, a run-off election will determine the next president, and millions of citizens will cast their votes to choose between the two contenders.
The voting process commenced at 08.00 local time on Sunday morning and is scheduled to conclude at 17.00. More than 191 thousand ballot boxes have been set up across 973 districts and 1,094 district election boards nationwide. Over 60 million eligible voters will participate in this landmark election, casting their ballots to decide the future leader of Turkey, who will serve a five-year term.
The two presidential candidates vying for the position are Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, representing the Nation Alliance, and Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, representing the People’s Alliance.
In addition to the domestic voters, approximately 3.5 million expats will also have the opportunity to make their voices heard. The overseas voting process commenced on 19 May and concluded on 24 May, however, those who were unable to vote within the specified period in their country of residence are allowed to cast their ballots at customs gates until 17.00 today.
The number of overseas voters who cast their votes reached more than 1 million 920 thousand as of Saturday.
Election security
The main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), which is also Kılıçdaroğlu’s party, has reassured Turkish citizens that it has taken all necessary measures to safeguard the ballot boxes on today’s elections.
CHP Deputy Chairman Veli Ağbaba announced safeguard measures on Saturday, which include deploying a joint legal commission, polling officers and observers at every school polling station. They will document any negligence or violation of electoral security and the law. Furthermore, they will address any threats or interference against district heads and polling station officials.
The final results of the 14 May parliamentary elections will be announced after the second round of the presidential election, according to the Supreme Electoral Board (YSK) sources who spoke to HaberTürk on Saturday. The appeal process against the decisions of the provincial election boards to the YSK ended on 24 May. YSK representatives responded to criticism from the opposition on the delay to the results, stating that they are proceeding in accordance with the original calendar.
