Presidential and Parliamentary Elections Begin in Turkey

Polling stations have opened today in all 81 provinces of Turkey for the presidential and parliamentary elections. Approximately 64 million citizens have the right to vote.

According to TASS, security measures have been significantly enhanced in Turkey's major cities to ensure that voters can safely exercise their electoral rights.

Three candidates are running in the presidential elections: the incumbent President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the opposition candidate and leader of the Republican People's Party, Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, and ATA Alliance candidate Sinan Oğan. The main contest for the highest state office is expected to be between Erdoğan and Kılıçdaroğlu.

To win, a candidate must gather over 50 percent of the votes. Political analysts do not rule out the possibility of a second round of presidential elections in Turkey; if this occurs, the second round will take place on May 28. The candidate who receives a simple majority of the votes will be declared the winner.

Alongside the presidential elections, parliamentary elections are also taking place. A total of 36 political parties are participating, some of which have formed alliances to increase their chances of obtaining more seats in the parliament.