Polling in Turkey’s local elections began on March 31, with 57 million registered voters expected to cast their ballots in the country’s 81 provinces.
Politicians headed to polls to vote early Sunday.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan cast his ballot in Saffet Çebi Elementary School in Üsküdar district located in Istanbul. Speaking to reporters after casting his vote, Erdoğan expressed hope for high turnout in ballot boxes. He said the voting process is continuing smoothly across Turkey.
“I hope we close the ballot boxes in the evening with a high voter turnout,” Erdoğan told reporters.
Voting started at 7 a.m. local time (0400GMT) and will continue through 4 p.m. local time (1300GMT) in 32 out of Turkey’s 81 provinces.
