Erdogan Casts Ballot in Türkiye’s Local Elections
Istanbul, The Gulf Observer: In the spirit of civic duty, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan exercised his right as a voting citizen in Türkiye’s local elections on Sunday, casting his ballot in the bustling metropolis of Istanbul, as reported by media sources.
Following his participation in the electoral process at a polling station in Istanbul’s Uskudar district, President Erdogan emphasized the significance of citizen engagement in the electoral process, urging all eligible voters to exercise their democratic right and contribute to shaping the future of the nation.
“This election will mark the beginning of a new era in our country,” President Erdogan remarked, addressing reporters gathered after he had cast his vote.
Reflecting on the series of elections Türkiye has witnessed in recent times, President Erdogan expressed optimism regarding the transformative potential of these democratic exercises.
“I hope that these elections will serve as the catalyst for a new era, a new century in our country,” he articulated, underscoring the pivotal role of democratic participation in driving progress and development.
President Erdogan, who frequently references the commencement of a new “Century of Türkiye,” also conveyed his aspirations for a positive outcome from the elections, emphasizing the importance of the democratic process in advancing the interests of the nation.
Reportedly, President Erdogan is poised to monitor the election results from Istanbul and address the nation once the outcome becomes clear.
The electoral process commenced early Sunday, with over 61 million registered voters expected to cast their ballots nationwide.
Voting operations commenced at 7 a.m. local time and are scheduled to conclude at 4 p.m. in 32 out of Türkiye’s 81 provinces, predominantly in the eastern regions. In the remaining provinces, polling stations opened at 8 a.m. and are set to close at 5 p.m.
A total of 973 district mayors, 390 city mayors, and 50,336 mukhtars, representing local government bodies, are slated to be elected, alongside provincial general assembly and city councils.
