Turkey’s parliamentary elections in progress

June 12, 2011 – 17:12 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Turks went to the polls on Sunday June 12 in
parliamentary elections, with the Islamist-rooted Justice and
Development Party (AKP) seeking to win a third straight term in
office.

Pollsters mainly expect the AKP, bolstered by economic stability in
the country, to grab an easy victory with a minor loss of votes
compared to its 47 per cent showing in the 2007 elections.

Among a population of some 73 million, more than 50 million voters
were eligible to cast their ballots on Sunday in almost 200,000
polling stations nationwide, to renew the 550-seat parliament.

The last polling station closes at 1400 GMT and preliminary results
are expected after 1800 GMT, although the authorities generally allow
the media to announce estimated results earlier, AFP reported.