This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-28729234

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Turkey votes in landmark presidential election Erdogan surges ahead in Turkey presidential election
(about 11 hours later)
Voting is under way across Turkey for the country's first ever presidential election put to a popular vote. Outgoing Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has surged into the lead in Turkey's first direct presidential election, early vote counts suggest.
Three candidates are vying for the position, including current Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Mr Erdogan is polling at 56% after almost half of the votes have been counted, Turkish broadcasters said.
If none of the candidates gets above 50% of the vote, a second round will be held on 24 August. He needs more than 50% of the vote for an outright victory, otherwise he will face a second round on 24 August.
Mr Erdogan, 60, says that if he wins he wants to turn the largely ceremonial post of president into the country's executive powerhouse. Mr Erdogan, 60, says if he wins, he wants to bolster the power of the largely ceremonial post of president.
He has been prime minister since 2003 and is barred from standing for that office again.He has been prime minister since 2003 and is barred from standing for that office again.
Polls opened at 08:00 local time (05:00 GMT) and close at 17:00.
'Show our colours''Show our colours'
The BBC's Mark Lowen in Ankara says Mr Erdogan is a divisive figure adored by his supporters for transforming the economy but hated by critics for an abrasive style and Islamist leanings. The BBC's Mark Lowen in the capital Ankara says turnout appears to be much lower than expected.
The summer heat and holidays may have dissuaded some voters, our correspondent says.
Turkey - wedged between the turmoil of Iraq, Syria and Ukraine - is an important ally for the West, our correspondent adds, and whoever becomes head of state will hold a key geopolitical position.Turkey - wedged between the turmoil of Iraq, Syria and Ukraine - is an important ally for the West, our correspondent adds, and whoever becomes head of state will hold a key geopolitical position.
Mr Erdogan's two rivals are a little-known diplomat, Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, and Kurdish politician Selahattin Demirtas.Mr Erdogan's two rivals are a little-known diplomat, Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, and Kurdish politician Selahattin Demirtas.
Mr Ihsanoglu, 71, is the joint candidate of the two main opposition parties in parliament, the centre-left Republican People's Party (CHP) and the far-right Nationalist Movement Party (MHP).Mr Ihsanoglu, 71, is the joint candidate of the two main opposition parties in parliament, the centre-left Republican People's Party (CHP) and the far-right Nationalist Movement Party (MHP).
He served as the secretary-general of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation from 2004-14. He served as the secretary-general of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation from 2004 to 2014.
Mr Ihsanoglu has vowed to uphold the president's traditional role, insisting it is not up to the head of state to be involved in day-to-day running of politics.Mr Ihsanoglu has vowed to uphold the president's traditional role, insisting it is not up to the head of state to be involved in day-to-day running of politics.
Mr Demirtas, 41, is a leader of the left-wing People's Democratic Party (HDP) and a well-known politician from the Kurdish minority.Mr Demirtas, 41, is a leader of the left-wing People's Democratic Party (HDP) and a well-known politician from the Kurdish minority.
Correspondents say he has focused his campaign on championing the cause of the oppressed, the poor, the young and the working classes. He has focused his campaign on championing the cause of the oppressed, the poor, the young and the working classes.
"We cannot build our union by accusing each other. Let's show our colours at the ballot box tomorrow with our oppressed identities and faiths," Mr Demirtas told crowds in the city of Izmir ahead of the elections.
In his final rally in the city of Konya on Saturday, Mr Erdogan vowed to raise Turkey's democratic standards and economic record to create a "world leader and global power".In his final rally in the city of Konya on Saturday, Mr Erdogan vowed to raise Turkey's democratic standards and economic record to create a "world leader and global power".
"There is no unattainable dream or unattainable objective for this nation," he said."There is no unattainable dream or unattainable objective for this nation," he said.
Mr Demirtas held his final rally in the city of Izmir.
"We cannot build our union by accusing each other. Let's show our colours at the ballot box tomorrow with our oppressed identities and faiths," he said.