LIVE: Voting begins in local Turkish elections
Yildirim casts vote as mayoral candidate in Istanbul
AKP candidate for mayor in Istanbul Binali Yildirm described the voting process as a "feast of democracy" for the people.
Turkey is electing municipal representatives to serve in the next five years.
"We hope this election becomes a factor for brotherhood," said the former speaker of parliament and prime minister.
He cast his ballot along with family members in Istanbul
"Now is the time to serve Istanbul by carrying out projects," Yildirim implored.
12:17 p.m.
HDP co-chair defiantly casts vote
Pervin Buldan, a co-chair of the HDP, hoped the election "to bring good for our people and bring about peace and freedom for our nation."
Buldan added, however, during election campaigning "a lot of obstacles were created for us" by authorities and state-run media were not ready to cover HDP campaigns.
Buldan, who cast her ballot in Istanbul, said they will show their "defiance" by voting.
She described today as the day people will change the state-appointed trustees.
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10:27 a.m.
Security tightened during vote
Turkey's Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu told media they have taken strict measures to protect the safety of voters across the country, as he cast his ballot in Istanbul.
The main parties racing in today's election include the Justice and Development Party (AKP), Republican People's Party (CHP), Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), and IYI (Good) Party.
Other smaller parties which have little influence compared with the aforementioned. They include the Independent Turkey Party (BTP), Democratic Left Party (DSP), Saadet (Felicity) Party, Communist Party of Turkey (TKP), and Vatan (Patriotic) Party, Grand Unity Party (BBP), and Democrat Party (DP).
8 a.m.
Voting begins in local Turkish elections
ANKARA, Turkey — Voting has begun to elect local officials across Turkey to elect municipal officials across the country.
The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) is seeking to solidify recent electoral success, as opposition including the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) wants a check on President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's Party.
Official campaigning ended at 6 p.m. on Saturday.
Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. in eastern areas, and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. elsewhere because of daylight. About 57 million people in Turkey are eligible to vote, including about 1.2 million new voters.
ANALYSIS: Can pro-Kurdish HDP pull off strategic upsets in Turkey election?
