Erdogan, Kilicdaroglu, Ogan cast their votes

MEHR: Three presidential candidates in Turkey's 2023 elections cast their votes.

Sinan Ogan, third presidential candidate votes in Ankara

Sinan Ogan, candidate of the nationalist Ancestral Alliance (ATA) of three parties, has voted in Ankara.

Ogan is the third presidential candidate, running against President Recep Tayyib Erdogan and his main rival, Kemal Kilicdaroglu who heads the left-wing, secular CHP.

Ogan has an academic and international finance development background.

Kemal Kilicdaroglu cast his ballot

Head of the opposition and leader of the People’s Republican Party (CHP), Kemal Kilicdaroglu, has cast his vote in Turkey’s capital city, Ankara.

Kilicdaroglu who heads the Nation Alliance forming the “Table of Six” has promised change after more than 20 years of AK Party rule. They pledge to uphold democracy, media freedom and the rule of law.

Quake victims return home cities to vote at makeshift polling stations

Turkish authorities in the country’s quake-stricken southern provinces have set up makeshift polling stations to facilitate the presidential and parliamentary elections.

Many of the February 6 earthquakes who had left their home cities have returned to southern provinces to cast their ballots in the parliamentary and presidential votes.

Earthquake victims have been divided ahead of the vote across many southern provinces which have traditionally backed President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

While many vow to vote for him still, others, disappointed by the government’s response to the quakes, decide to support the opposition.

Muharrem Ince, who withdrew from election race, still on ballot papers

While Homeland Party leader Muharrem Ince withdrew from the elections just days ahead of the vote, ballot papers which had already been printed out, have remained the same, showing his photo among the other candidates.

Voters sharing videos from inside the polling stations, showed Ince in the middle between the two main rivals – Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Kemal Kilicdaroglu.

Twitter restricts some content in Turkey

Twitter announced late on Saturday that access to some content has been restricted in Turkey. There has been no announcement of what content is affected by these restrictions.

Polls have opened in Turkey

Polls have opened in Turkey’s fiercely fought presidential and parliamentary elections that could extend or bring an end to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s 20-year rule.

His main opponent is CHP leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, who represents an election coalition of six opposition parties. For the first time, Turkey’s factious opposition has coalesced around a single candidate.

A candidate must win over 50% of the vote on Sunday night in order to be elected. Otherwise, Turkey will head to a run-off on May 28.

Millions of voters started heading to the polls in Turkey as the country's presidential and parliamentary elections began Sunday at 8 a.m. local time (0500GMT).

More than 64.1 million people are registered to vote, including over 1.76 million who already cast their ballots abroad and 4.9 million first-time voters.

A total of 191,885 ballot boxes have been set up for voters in the country.

Every voter will be casting two ballots, one for the president and the other for parliamentarians, both of whom will serve five-year terms.

Voters will choose between President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is seeking reelection, main opposition candidate Kemal Kilicdaroglu, and Sinan Ogan.

Muharrem Ince, another presidential contender, withdrew from the race on Thursday.

More than 30 political parties and over 150 independent parliamentary candidates will compete in the elections.

There are five multiparty blocs in the running: the People's Alliance, Nation Alliance, Ancestral Alliance, Labor and Freedom Alliance, and Union of Socialist Forces Alliance.

Media organizations are barred from reporting partial results until an embargo is lifted at 9 pm (1800 GMT).