Ultimate rallies in Turkey forward of the most important election

By Alistair Bunkall, defence and security correspondent

Up to a million people have turned out for one of the last opposition campaign rallies ahead of Sunday's elections in Turkey.

The rally, held in Istanbul, was in support of Muharrem Ince, the main competitor to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Turkey is going to the polls in joint presidential and parliamentary elections. Mr Erdogan is expected to be re-elected but might be forced into a run-off by the opposition.

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Video: Final campaign push ahead of historic election in Turkey

A coalition of parties have teamed up to challenge the hold that Mr Erdogan's AK party has on parliament - and the president risks losing his majority.

"We want change," one opposition supporter told Sky News. "We can win, yes we can win."

Image: Ince with his mother Zekiye at the rally

The president has arrested and jailed many of his opponents and critics since the attempted coup in 2016.

Selahattin Demirtas is one of the country's best-known politicians. He is campaigning to be president from jail - he was locked up for alleged links to the banned Kurdish PKK party.

Image: President Erdogan has had opponents arrested and jailed

From his prison cell, he told Sky News that he doesn't think the elections will be free and fair: "A fair election would mean AKP cannot win.

"If Erdogan and AKP finally decide to think about the welfare of the country and decide to respect the will of the voters, then voters will be able to vote in a fair and free atmosphere.

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"But we are not that unrealistic and we will work our best to prevent votes to be stolen. It is very important that all voters from every party protect their votes."

Image: Supporters at Mr Erdogan's rally

The polls open at 9am on Sunday (7am UK time) - the result should be known by late evening.

Original Article

World

November 19, 2018