PodcastTurkish politicians cast votes in historic election
Turkish political party leaders and senior figures have casted their votes for the parliamentary and presidential elections. The voting will last until 5 p.m. local time.
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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who is running for the office for the third time, on May 14 casted his vote for the parliamentary and presidential elections in Istanbul's Üsküdar district.
"According to the information I received from Interio Minister, the (electoral) process continues without incident and any problems. The most important was the use of votes in the earthquake zone. Our citizens in the earthquake zone cast their votes with great love. There is no problem there either," Erdoğan said after voting.
Main opposition bloc Nation Alliance’s presidential candidate and Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu casted his vote in Arjantin Primary School in the capital Ankara.
After voting, Kılıçdaroğlu said "We all missed democracy, being together and embracing so much. From now on, you will see, spring will come to this country and spring will always continue."
CHP's Istanbul Mayor and Nation Alliance vice presidential candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu casted his vote in Istanbul's Beylikdüzü district.
"I hope that the results of this election will bring a strong democracy to our country. I am grateful to everyone who took part (to protect) ballot boxes, thank you. I hope to get to work as soon as possible and get our state back on its feet. Everything will be very beautiful," İmamoğlu said.
Opposition right-wing Good (İYİ) Party leader Meral Akşener casted her vote in Istanbul's Beylerbeyi district.
"We have been targeted with so many slanders and insults, but none of them matter now. From now on, we move on to the part that we all respect the results of the votes," Akşener said.