Turkish voters are set to cast their ballots on Sunday in a crucial election pitting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan against challenger Kemal Kilicdaroglu. The race has garnered global attention, with polls indicating that the outcome is too close to call or that Erdogan may even be trailing behind. This pivotal election could determine whether Erdogan extends his increasingly authoritarian rule into a third decade.
Kilicdaroglu has managed to rally a broad coalition of opposition parties under his leadership, and some of Erdogan's supporters have wavered due to his failure to address Turkey's economic issues. In response, the president has launched aggressive attacks against Kilicdaroglu and the opposition, accusing them of being backed by "terrorists" or Western powers.
Erdogan has also accused the United States of attempting to interfere in the election. However, accusations of Russian involvement have surfaced as well. Elon Musk, Twitter owner, suggested that content restrictions on Twitter may have originated from Turkey's government.
The recent earthquake in Turkey adds another layer of uncertainty for voters deciding their country’s future direction after this tragedy. Not everyone will be able to participate; two women at an Ankara supermarket reported missing out on voting due to medical treatment following the earthquake.
One presidential candidate who won't be participating is Muharrem Ince; he withdrew from the race three days ago citing a smear campaign involving "character assassination."
More than 60 million voters are expected at polling stations across Turkey on Sunday for this high-stakes election closely watched by world money managers waiting for outcomes before making investment decisions regarding Turkey's market attractiveness.
As a precaution ahead of this critical vote, tens-of-thousands police officers and paramilitary forces were deployed at voting stations throughout the nation. First results will become available onceTurkey’s election watchdog lifts its broadcast ban.