ISTANBUL, April 28 (Xinhua) -- Turkish citizens living abroad started to cast their ballots Thursday for the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections scheduled on May 14 at Türkiye's airports and border gates.
Incumbent President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is seeking a new five-year term against his main rival, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, head of the Republican People's Party (CHP), who is running as the presidential candidate for an alliance of opposition parties.
Recent polls suggest it will be a tight race between the two major candidates, who are both campaigning to improve the quality of life for many Turks affected by the recent economic downturn. If no candidate secures more than 50 percent of the votes in the first round, a second round will be held on May 28.
The 3.4 million eligible voters living abroad are of great importance to both candidates. In addition to the ones set up at embassies and consulates in 73 countries, 4,671 ballot boxes have also been placed at various points of entry around the country, such as airports and border gates.
The international terminal at Istanbul Airport, Türkiye's main point of entry, is among the hotspots filled with citizens living abroad casting their early ballots set up at the arrival and departure floors.
Abdullah and Hamide Gisne, a Turkish couple coming from France, were among the early voters. "The election is very important for Türkiye and for the country's economy," Hamide told Xinhua.
The voting will continue until 5:00 p.m. local time (1400 GMT) on May 14.
