Turkey Undergoes Second Round Of Voting For First Presidential Runoff Between Erdogan, Kilicdaroglu

The Presidential runoff is significant not only for Turkey but would have far-spread implications as the country stands at the crossroads of Asia and Europe and plays a key role in NATO.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Kemal Kilicdaroglu cast their vote in the second round of presidential runoff in Turkey

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The second phase of polling took place on Sunday across Turkey to decide the fate of its longest-serving President Recept Tayyip Erdogan and his opponent Kemal Kilicdaroglu. Erdogan, who has been in power for 20 years is favoured for another five-year term in office in the second-round runoff, after coming just short of an outright victory in the first round on May 14, as per a report by the Associated Press. Polling for overseas voters was held until May 24. 

Erdogan finished four percentage points ahead of Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the candidate of a six-party alliance and leader of Turkey’s centre-left main opposition party, despite crippling inflation and the effects of a devastating earthquake three months ago.

Noting that it's the first presidential runoff election in Turkey’s history, Erdogan praised high voter turnout in the first round and expected high participation on Sunday also, as he spoke to reporters after casting his vote at a school in Istanbul. 

“I pray to God that it (the election) will be beneficial for our country and nation,” he said.

Meanwhile, his 74-year-old opponent, Kilicdaroglu (pronounced KEH-lich-DAHR-OH-loo) who is a former diplomat described the polls as a referendum on the country’s future. 

“This election took place under very difficult circumstances, there was all sorts of slander and defamation,” Kilcdaroglu said as he also voted at the same time as Erdogan. 

“But I trust in the common sense of the people. Democracy will come, freedom will come, people will be able to wander the streets and freely criticise politicians.” 

The polls opened at 8 am today and over 64 million people are eligible to vote. The country does not have exit polls but the preliminary results are expected to come within hours of the polls closing at 5 pm (local time). 

The runoff is significant not only for Turkey but would have far-spread implications as the country stands at the crossroads of Asia and Europe and plays a key role in NATO.