Erdogan's party ahead of tense race with opposition rival in Istanbul
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Polling stations launched at 7 a.m. in eastern Turkey, with polls elsewhere beginning at 8 a.m. and ending at 5 p.m., while initial results are expected by 10 p.m. later tonight.
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People walk under a campaign banner of Turkish President and leader of the Justice and Development Party, or AKP, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in Istanbul, Turkey, Friday March 29, 2024. (AP)
Turkish citizens will vote on Sunday in municipal elections, with eyes on President Recep Tayyip Erdogan who aims to regain control of Istanbul from rival and mayor Ekrem Imamoglu of the opposition party, who took control back in 2019.
Polling stations open at 7 a.m. in eastern Turkey, with polls elsewhere beginning at 8 a.m. and ending at 5 p.m., while initial results are expected by 10 p.m. later that night.
A tense race is expected as Imamoglu is up against Erdogan's party the AKP's candidate Murat Kurum.
Factors that will weigh in on the results include the current economic situation, with inflation near 70%, and Kurdish voters aiming for political change.
Read next: Turkey's local elections and Erdogan's race for Istanbul and Ankara
With that being said, voters of the pro-Kurdish party (DEM) pushed for Imamoglu's 2019 success, and even though this year the DEM party has its own candidate in Istanbul, many Kurds are anticipated to vote for Imamoglu again.
Erdogan also has another obstacle to face, which is a rise in support for the Islamist New Welfare Party (RP) over its staunch stance against "Israel" for its war on Gaza and dissatisfaction with his handling of the economy.
Quick overview
With more than 61 million voters expected to participate across the country, polling stations, totaling over 200,000, will see candidates from 34 political parties vying for positions.
Major contenders include the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party, the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), the Good (IYI) Party, and the Peoples' Democratic Party (DEM Party).
Voters will cast their ballots exclusively for candidates in their respective districts, with approximately 1.32 million young voters participating for the first time.
The #Turkish people are preparing for #Turkey's local elections scheduled for March 31.
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) March 29, 2024
The outcomes of the local elections in Istanbul are significant, as they could determine the trajectory of the entire country.
In the previous local elections of 2019, the Turkish… pic.twitter.com/zGtFDu2F02
Mobile ballot boxes, numbering over 1,000, will cater to voters unable to reach polling stations due to health or disability reasons.
On Election Day, the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages will be prohibited from 6 am to 12 midnight in all alcohol-serving and public venues. Entertainment venues like coffeehouses, teahouses, and internet cafes will be closed, though restaurants will remain open.
The Turkish Penal Code prohibits the carrying of weapons, except for authorized security personnel, in villages, towns, and cities.
Radio stations and broadcast media are barred from reporting on the elections or making predictions until 6 pm (local time). From 6 to 9 pm (local time), election-related broadcasts can only include news and announcements from the Supreme Election Council (YSK). All restrictions will be lifted after 9 pm (local time).
