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So that true democracy and freedom can come to this country, to get rid of an authoritarian government, I invite all citizens to vote," Erdogan's opponent Kiliçdaroglu said as he voted in Ankara. He also called on them to stay close to the polls after the polls closed (at 17 p.m.), "because this election took place in very difficult conditions," he said.
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All kinds of defamation and slander have been made, but I trust the common sense of the citizens. Democracy will certainly come to this country, freedom will come," he assured his supporters who, massed in front of the polling station, applauded him at his exit.
" READ ALSO Turkey: nationalism at the heart of the second round of the presidential election
The outgoing president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, given favorite of this unprecedented second round, voted a handful of seconds later in his district of Usküdar, on the Asian side of Istanbul, accompanied by his wife Emine and under the eyes of a large crowd. "No country in the world has 90% participation rates, Turkey has almost achieved them. I ask my fellow citizens to come and vote without weakening, "said the head of state.
According to Erdogan, with only two candidates running, the vote "will be concluded quickly". In the first round, the participation rate had reached 87% of those registered. Erdogan was due to travel to Ankara later in the evening.
