Turkish PM Erdoğan’s name on first slot on presidential vote ballot

ANKARA

Lots were drawn July 14 by Turkey’s top election body for the candidates’ slot on the ballots. AA Photo

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was given the first slot on the ballots in the upcoming presidential election, as lots were drawn July 14 by Turkey’s top election body for the candidates’ slot on the ballots.

While the ruling Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) presidential hopeful Erdoğan received the first slot, Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) co-leader Selahattin Demirtaş received the second and Ekmeleddin İhsanoğlu, nominated by two major opposition parties, as well as five minor parties not represented at Parliament, took the third.

The country’s first-ever direct presidential elections will be held in two rounds, the first scheduled for Aug. 10 and the second for Aug. 24. A candidate needs to receive at least 50 percent plus one vote to outright win in the first round of the elections.

President Sadi Güven of the Supreme Election Board (YSK), speaking ahead of the drawing, which was held open to the press, noted the row fixed with the lots will be valid for the second round of the elections too.