Ankara: AK Party candidate loses ballot box he voted in

By Mehmet Kara and Hanife Sevinc

ISTANBUL (AA) - Turkey’s main opposition mayoral candidate in the capital won the majority of votes from the ballot box where ruling AK Party candidate cast his vote, according to unofficial results on Sunday.

The counting of votes was completed in the ballot box at Sofuoglu Elementary School in Yenimahalle district, where Justice and Development (AK) Party candidate Mehmet Ozhaseki cast his ballot.

Some 196 of the votes were in favor of CHP candidate Mansur Yavas, while the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party’s candidate Ozhaseki received 78.

Eleven ballots were invalid.

Millions of Turkish voters headed to the ballot boxes on Sunday for the local elections to choose Turkey’s mayors, city council members, mukhtars (neighborhood officials), and members of elder councils for the next five years.

Voters will choose from 12 political parties competing in the local elections.

The major competing parties are the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party, the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), Good (IYI) Party, and Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP).

Also taking part are the Independent Turkey Party (BTP), Grand Unity Party (BBP), Democrat Party (DP), Democratic Left Party (DSP), Saadet (Felicity) Party, Communist Party of Turkey (TKP), and Patriotic (Vatan) Party.

* Writing by Sibel Morrow