CHP candidate for Izmir votes in Turkey's local polls

IZMIR, Turkey

Turkey's main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) candidate for the Aegean Izmir province Tunc Soyer cast his ballot in Sunday's local elections in Izmir.

Speaking to reporters after casting his ballot, Soyer said each election is an "exam" of democracy.

"Today, I think everyone will pass this exam successfully," he added.

Sunday’s polls mark the first local elections in Turkey under the new presidential government system, adopted in an April 2017 referendum.

Voting started at 7 a.m. local time (0400GMT) and will continue through 4 p.m. local time (1300GMT) in 32 out of Turkey’s 81 provinces.

In the remaining provinces, polling stations have opened at 8 a.m. local time (0050GMT) and will close at 5 p.m. local time (1400GMT).

IZMIR, Turkey

Turkey's main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) candidate for the Aegean Izmir province Tunc Soyer cast his ballot in Sunday's local elections in Izmir.

Speaking to reporters after casting his ballot, Soyer said each election is an "exam" of democracy.

"Today, I think everyone will pass this exam successfully," he added.

Sunday’s polls mark the first local elections in Turkey under the new presidential government system, adopted in an April 2017 referendum.

Voting started at 7 a.m. local time (0400GMT) and will continue through 4 p.m. local time (1300GMT) in 32 out of Turkey’s 81 provinces.

In the remaining provinces, polling stations have opened at 8 a.m. local time (0050GMT) and will close at 5 p.m. local time (1400GMT).