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Officials on Sunday rejected allegations that Free Syrian Army (FSA) members were casting votes at a district in the southern Turkish province of Hatay.
The provincial governor's office in a statement said: "The claims on social media do not reflect the reality. Necessary investigation regarding the incident has been initiated."
It added that Aşagıokçular Primary School in Defne district was designated as a polling station previously for special police force personnel who are performing duties in Syria's northwestern Afrin region, where Turkey is carrying out its anti-terror Operation Olive Branch.
The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) said on Sunday that no discrepancies were reported during the elections so far.The delegation started its on-site observation in Lieutenant Kalmaz Primary School in capital Ankara.Speaking to reporters, Ambassador Audrey Glover, head of the election observer delegation, said they will continue following the polls closely till they end."There are no obstacles to the OSCE delegation, and we continue to observe the election in the methodology we employ all the time,” she said.The delegation will hold a press briefing at the Sheraton Hotel in Ankara at 3.00 p.m. local time (1200GMT) on Monday.Galeri: Presidential candidates, politicians cast votes in Turkey electionsTen foreigners posing as observers in Turkey’s elections to face trialElection board assures election security in SE TurkeyPortable ballot boxes go to sickly, elderly voters in Turkey elections for the first timeSome 415 observers from eight international organizations have been deployed to watch Turkey’s presidential and parliamentary elections.The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) has sent 234 observers, while the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCEPA) sent 72, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) deployed 35, and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PAM) sent 10 observers.
Turkish polls going on smoothly: Independent observer
Turkey's Supreme Election Council head on Sunday said judicial, administrative and legal steps have been taken regarding election security concerns in a district of southeastern Şanlıurfa province.Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Sadi Guven said: "Following reports [of security concerns], our Council initiated necessary judicial, legal and administrative steps."Guven's remarks came after there were allegations of lack of election security in Suruc district.Erdoğan casts his vote for presidential, parliamentary electionsPortable ballot boxes go to sickly, elderly voters in Turkey elections for the first timeFemale presidential candidate Akşener votes in Turkey electionsHe added that elections across Turkey are ongoing peacefully, drawing a good voter turnout.Turkish voters are casting their votes in presidential and parliamentary elections.Voting started at 8.00 a.m. local time (0500GMT) and will continue through 5.00 p.m. local time (1400GMT).
Election board assures election security in SE Turkey
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan casted his vote on Sunday in Turkey’s presidential and parliamentary elections.Erdoğan voted at the Saffet Çebi Middle School in Istanbul's Üsküdar at approximately 1:30 p.m. local time. He was accompanied by First Lady Emine Erdoğan.Speaking to reporters after casting his vote, Erdoğan praised the high voter turnout, which according to him had crossed 50 percent."It [turnout] displays how advanced Turkish democracy is and how developed its democratic maturity is."Turkey is experiencing a democratic revolution with this election," he added.Portable ballot boxes go to sickly, elderly voters in Turkey elections for the first timeErdoğan further asserted that, with the new governing system, Turkey will be able to reach the level of contemporary civilizations.The president will follow the elections initially in Istanbul and later arrive in Ankara during later hours to follow rest of the elections.Supporters gathered in front of the polling station he voted at and chanted slogans in support of him.Video: Turkey's elderly, sick cast votes in mobile ballot boxesSix candidates are running for president: Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for the alliance (People’s Alliance) formed by Turkey’s ruling AK Party and the MHP, Muharrem Ince for CHP, Selahattin Demirtas for HDP, Meral Aksener for the Good (IYI) Party, Temel Karamollaoglu for the Felicity (Saadet) Party, and Dogu Perincek for the Patriotic (Vatan) Party.Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has served as president since 2014, and is Turkey's first popularly-elected president. Before that, he served as prime minister from 2003 to 2014.Erdoğan would be Turkey's first leader to rule under the presidential system should he win the election.Female presidential candidate Akşener votes in Turkey electionsTurkish PM casts vote in electionsTurkey’s main opposition presidential candidate İnce votes in electionsTurkish justice minister says voting continues smoothly415 foreign observers ready for Turkish electionsTurkey goes to polls in presidential, parliamentary elections
Erdoğan casts his vote for presidential, parliamentary elections
The police forces voted at the polling station after showing their identification documents.
Turkish voters are casting their votes in presidential and parliamentary elections on Sunday.
Turkey on Jan. 20 launched Operation Olive Branch to remove YPG/PKK and Daesh terrorists from Afrin.
On March 18, Turkish troops and Free Syrian Army members liberated the town of Afrin, on the 58th day of the operation.