Erdogan ahead with one-third of votes counted: media

Ankara, May 15:-- Initial results of Türkiye's presidential election on Sunday showed incumbent President Recep Tayyip Erdogan ahead with 52.9 percent of votes compared to opposition rival Kemal Kilicdaroglu with 41.2 percent, according to the unofficial preliminary results.

Nearly 38 percent of the ballot boxes are opened, and the gap between Erdogan and Kilicdaroglu is narrowing as more votes are counted, said the report.

If no presidential candidate wins over 50 percent of the vote, a runoff vote will be held on May 28.

Sunday's presidential and parliamentary elections are one of the most consequential events that could either stretch incumbent President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's tenure into a third term or set Türkiye on a new course.

The voter turnout was noticeably high as electorates formed long queues in polling stations across the country.

International observers were deployed across the country, including the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe mission.

Some 61 million voters are registered to cast their ballots. Ahead of the elections, more than 1.76 million Turks abroad have cast their votes at diplomatic missions and customs gates between April 27 and May 9.

Related World News

Spain to hold three-day mourning following deadly train crash

ADAMUZ,Spain,Jan.20 - Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Monday announced three days of official mourning following a train crash in southern Spain that has killed at least 40 people. he accident occurred at around 7:45 p.m. local time (1845 GMT) on Sunday, when a train carrying 317....

Guatemala President declares state of emergency as riots breaks out at three prisons

The Guatemala’s president Bernardo Arevalo has declared a state of emergency following the violence at three prisons.Riots broke out at three prisons in Guatemala, where inmates took at least 46 people hostage,according to reports. The unrest was reportedly orchestrated by the Barrio 18 gang, ....

If There Is an Attack, US Forces and Israel Will Be Targeted : America's Warning to Iran

(Fast Mail):-- Anti-government protests by ordinary people in Iran have entered their 14th day with voices against the government are rising from every corner of the country. The internet blackout has now crossed 60 hours. Meanwhile, Tehran is quite angry over America's warning with Iran's Par....

Violent protests in Iran claimed 116 lives and led to around 2,638 arrests

Khamenei's government threatens the US and Israel (Fast Mail):-- For more than two weeks, people in Iran have been protesting on the streets against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei and amid the protests, internet services have been shut down in Iran. According to media reports, at leas....

Iran's supreme leader warns protesters, calls for unity

TEHRAN: Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on Friday warned protesters against "collaboration with foreigners," condemning US President Donald Trump for exploiting public unrest and calling for unity in the nation. “I cannot tolerate collaboration with foreigners,” ....