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Turkey PM Erdogan's party 'takes early election lead' Turkey PM Erdogan's party 'takes early election lead'
(about 1 hour later)
The AK Party of Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan has taken an early lead in local elections, reports say.The AK Party of Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan has taken an early lead in local elections, reports say.
The polls are being seen as a key test for Mr Erdogan ahead of presidential elections in August and parliamentary elections next year.The polls are being seen as a key test for Mr Erdogan ahead of presidential elections in August and parliamentary elections next year.
It is the first vote since mass protests last June, and subsequent government corruption scandals.It is the first vote since mass protests last June, and subsequent government corruption scandals.
Mr Erdogan is not standing but has campaigned tirelessly in support of his Justice and Development Party (AKP).Mr Erdogan is not standing but has campaigned tirelessly in support of his Justice and Development Party (AKP).
With more than 10% of the votes counted, TV channels reported the AKP was polling at between 43-49%. With more than 24% of the votes counted, TV channels reported the AKP was polling at between 43-48%.
The party has been aiming to equal or better its 38.8% share of the vote in 2009.The party has been aiming to equal or better its 38.8% share of the vote in 2009.
Voting in the local assembly and mayoral elections passed off peacefully in most areas, but eight people were reportedly killed in two separate incidents involving supporters of rival candidates.Voting in the local assembly and mayoral elections passed off peacefully in most areas, but eight people were reportedly killed in two separate incidents involving supporters of rival candidates.
Feuding families were said to have clashed in the southern city of Hatay and the eastern province of Sanliurfa.Feuding families were said to have clashed in the southern city of Hatay and the eastern province of Sanliurfa.
'Ottoman slap' The prime minister has been eyeing a run for the presidency in August - the first time voters will directly elect the head of state - or may seek to change the rules to allow him to seek a fourth term in office.
Online 'misinformation'
In the run-up to Sunday's poll, the government blocked Twitter and YouTube, following a series of online leaks.In the run-up to Sunday's poll, the government blocked Twitter and YouTube, following a series of online leaks.
Mr Erdogan said social media was spreading misinformation. Mr Erdogan said social media were spreading misinformation.
On Saturday pro- and anti-government factions held rival demonstrations in Istanbul, which saw the Gezi Park protests of May and June last year.On Saturday pro- and anti-government factions held rival demonstrations in Istanbul, which saw the Gezi Park protests of May and June last year.
The opposition Republican People's Party is fighting in Istanbul to win the mayor's office from Mr Erdogan's ally Kadir Topbas.The opposition Republican People's Party is fighting in Istanbul to win the mayor's office from Mr Erdogan's ally Kadir Topbas.
The BBC's James Reynolds in Istanbul says opposition candidate Mustafa Sarigul drove around the city in an open-topped bus - throwing out red T-shirts to spectators leaning from their balconies.The BBC's James Reynolds in Istanbul says opposition candidate Mustafa Sarigul drove around the city in an open-topped bus - throwing out red T-shirts to spectators leaning from their balconies.
Mr Erdogan is himself a former mayor of the city and the vote has become an unofficial referendum on his administration, our correspondent says.Mr Erdogan is himself a former mayor of the city and the vote has become an unofficial referendum on his administration, our correspondent says.
A close race had also been expected in the capital Ankara. A close race had also been expected in the capital Ankara. The loss of either city would be a major embarrassment for the prime minister.
The loss of either city would be a major embarrassment for the prime minister, who lashed out at his political opponents during a series of rallies on Saturday. "What the people say goes,'' Mr Erdogan said after casting his ballot in Istanbul on Sunday. "The people's decision is (to be) respected.''
"They are all traitors," he told the crowd in Istanbul.
Mr Erdogan was forced to cancel a number of rallies on Friday on doctors' orders to rest his voice.
'Foreign plot''Foreign plot'
The prime minister has purged hundreds of people from the judiciary and police since several of his allies were arrested over a corruption scandal in December.The prime minister has purged hundreds of people from the judiciary and police since several of his allies were arrested over a corruption scandal in December.
He has accused the judiciary of being behind a series of wiretaps and social media leaks allegedly exposing major corruption, and blamed the probe on a "foreign plot".He has accused the judiciary of being behind a series of wiretaps and social media leaks allegedly exposing major corruption, and blamed the probe on a "foreign plot".
The scandal has pitted the prime minister against a former ally, US-based Islamic scholar Fethullah Gulen, who has many supporters in the police and judiciary.The scandal has pitted the prime minister against a former ally, US-based Islamic scholar Fethullah Gulen, who has many supporters in the police and judiciary.
The Prime Minister accuses Mr Gulen of using his supporters in the police and judiciary for a "dirty campaign" to try to topple him. Mr Erdogan accuses Mr Gulen of using his supporters in the police and judiciary for a "dirty campaign" to try to topple him.
Mr Gulen denies the allegations but those close to the movement, known as Hizmet ("Service"), say they fear a crackdown after the elections.Mr Gulen denies the allegations but those close to the movement, known as Hizmet ("Service"), say they fear a crackdown after the elections.
Mr Erdogan's Islamic-leaning AK Party swept to power in 2002 on a platform of eradicating the corruption that blights Turkish life. The Islamist-rooted AK Party swept to power in 2002 on a platform of eradicating the corruption that blights Turkish life.
The government faced major street protests last year sparked by plans to raze Istanbul's Gezi Park and redevelop it. The police crackdown galvanised anti-government demonstrators in several cities.The government faced major street protests last year sparked by plans to raze Istanbul's Gezi Park and redevelop it. The police crackdown galvanised anti-government demonstrators in several cities.
The anger which led to the unrest flared up again earlier this month, with the news of the death of a 15-year-old boy who had been in a coma since last June after being injured during a protest. The anger which led to the unrest flared up again earlier this month, with the news of the death of a 15-year-old boy who had been in a coma since last June after being hit by a tear gas canister during a protest.