Istanbul: CHP candidate wins his own ballot box

By Mehmet Kara and Hanife Sevinc

ISTANBUL (AA) - Turkey’s main opposition mayoral candidate for Istanbul, Ekrem Imamoglu, won the majority of ballots from the box where he cast his vote, according to unofficial results on Sunday.

The counting of votes in the ballot box at Haldun Taner Elementary School was completed in the district of Beylikduzu, where the Republican People's Party (CHP) candidate Imamoglu cast his ballot.

Some 243 of the votes were in favor of Imamoglu, while the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party’s candidate Binali Yildirim received 60.

Four 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.