Women to run Turkey's major cities after local ballot

ANKARA

Four women were elected to run Turkish cities in a local ballot held on March 31 across the country.

According to unofficial results, ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party candidate Fatma Sahin was elected mayor of over 2 million in the southeastern province of Gaziantep. 

Ozlem Cercioglu, from the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), was elected mayor of metropolitan municipality in western Aydin province.

Two women were elected in the country’s east from the opposition Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP). 

Bedia Ozgokce Ertan will run the metropolitan municipality in Van, as will Berivan Helen in the city of Siirt.

March 31 local elections in Turkey 

Millions of Turkish voters cast their ballots nationwide on Sunday in elections to choose Turkey’s mayors, city council members, mukhtars (neighborhood officials) and members of elder councils for the next five years.

While official results are yet to be released, Turkey's AK Party is leading in 15 metropolitan municipalities (larger cities), with 24 cities claimed by AK Party candidates.

The CHP’s Ekrem Imamoglu, with 48.79 percent of the votes, has a narrow lead over AK Party candidate Binali Yildirim who has 48.51 percent for the Istanbul mayorship.

Mansur Yavas, the CHP’s mayoral candidate in Ankara, is leading with 50.91 percent of votes, according to unofficial results, with the AK Party’s Mehmet Ozhaseki trailing at 47.1 percent.

* Writing by Faruk Zorlu