ISTANBUL

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan cast his vote Sunday in the country's 26th general election. 

"We must all respect the result of the national will," Erdogan told reporters in Istanbul after voting. 

More than 54 million Turks head to the polls Sunday to vote in the parliamentary elections. Nearly a million Turks living abroad have already cast their ballots in 113 embassies and consulates.

Across the country, a total of 175,006 polling stations will be open until 5.00 p.m. local time.

Of the 16 parties registered to contest the election in 81 provinces, parties that pass the 10 percent threshold will gain seats in the assembly.

Following the June 7 vote, the Justice and Development (AK) Party obtained 258 seats. The Republican People's Party (CHP) came second with 132 seats while the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) won 80 seats each.