Turkey goes to polls for historical election
In the 2015 General Election, 53 million 765 thousand citizens are eligible to vote, and according to Higher Electoral Council (YSK) data, 1 million 103 thousand 258 young citizens will be voting for the first time.
20 political parties are taking part in the election, while there are also 165 independent candidates.
Voting will begin at 8 am and continue until 5 pm.
Reporting on, publishing exit polls or forecasts, and commenting on the election on all media is prohibited until 6 pm.
From 6 pm until 9 pm, only results announced by the YSK can be published; however, the YSK can waive this clause if it deems necessary.
High attendance
The great interest in the election was made clear by the queues that formed before polling stations from the early hours on.
The design of the ballot slip, which featured independent candidates on a row below political parties, led to faulty voting. Polling clerks are warning voters to pay precise attention to cast their vote for their desired candidate. Ballot slips on which votes have been cast both for a political party and an independent candidate will be considered void.
Demirtaş refers to December 17
HDP Co-Chairperson Selahattin Demirtaş voted at the Sultanbeyli Mevlana Secondary School in the morning.
Demirtaş stated that they had endured a difficult election period, and that the campaign process had not taken place in a fair atmosphere. Demirtaş said, “We want the votes that enter the ballot box to be counted as they are. I wish for everyone to go to the polls today.”
Demirtaş then, while casting his vote, imitated the infamous gesture of Egemen Bağış, one of the four ministers implicated in the December 17 bribery and corruption scandal, made during the parliamentary vote for their case to be brought to the Supreme Court.
Davutoğlu: One suspect captured in relation to Diyarbakır bombing
Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu cast his vote at the Konya Şükrü Doruk Religious Vocational High School for Girls, and then responded to the questions of journalists.
Davutoğlu made a statement regarding the bomb attack on the HDP rally in Diyarbakır, saying, “A suspect was caught last night.”
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan cast his vote at the Saffet Çebi Primary School in Üsküdar, Istanbul. Responding to the questions of journalists, Erdoğan said, “I wish from God for these elections to bring good to our country. Turkey is experiencing an unconventional process.”
CHP Chairperson Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu cast his vote at the Arjantin Primary School in Ankara. Making a statement after casting his vote, Kılıçdaroğlu said, “The election process was unequal and unfair. I extend my most heartfelt thanks to all our citizens who have gone to the polls. It is my wish that these elections provide an opportunity for democracy to flourish in our country”. Kılıçdaroğlu also commented on the bomb attack on the HDP rally in Diyarbakır, saying “The incident in Diyarbakır was the event that caused us the most sorrow during the run-up to the election. I have the greatest trust in the wisdom and forethought of this society.”
