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Turkey goes to polls for key vote Turkey goes to polls for key vote
(about 2 hours later)
The people of Turkey are voting in a general election which is seen as a crucial test of its secular tradition.The people of Turkey are voting in a general election which is seen as a crucial test of its secular tradition.
The early election was called to resolve a political crisis after parliament repeatedly failed to agree on a candidate for president.The early election was called to resolve a political crisis after parliament repeatedly failed to agree on a candidate for president.
Secular parties and the powerful military blocked the nomination of a candidate for the post backed by the Islamic-rooted ruling AK Party.Secular parties and the powerful military blocked the nomination of a candidate for the post backed by the Islamic-rooted ruling AK Party.
They said Turkey's secularism was in danger - a claim the AKP dismissed.They said Turkey's secularism was in danger - a claim the AKP dismissed.
"Our democracy will emerge from this election strengthened," Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan told reporters as he cast his vote in Istanbul.
Many here believe it is the army that really calls the shots, without needing to fire any BBC Europe editor Mark Mardell Read Mark's thoughts in fullMany here believe it is the army that really calls the shots, without needing to fire any BBC Europe editor Mark Mardell Read Mark's thoughts in full
Some 42 million people are eligible to vote in the poll, while 14 parties are vying for seats in the 550-member parliament.Some 42 million people are eligible to vote in the poll, while 14 parties are vying for seats in the 550-member parliament.
The voting started at 0700 (0400 GMT) in eastern Turkey, and polls opened an hour later in the rest of the country. Voting, which is compulsory, started at 0700 (0400 GMT) in eastern Turkey, and polls opened an hour later in the rest of the country.
All election banners, slogans and party flags were taken down on Saturday night, in accordance with Turkey's electoral law.
Sentiments highSentiments high
Voters have been heading home from the beaches by the coach load, interrupting their holidays to take part in the polls, the BBC's Sarah Rainsford in the capital Ankara says. Voters have been heading home from the beaches by the coach load, interrupting their holidays to take part in the polls, says the BBC's Sarah Rainsford in Ankara.
Some of them say they have made a special effort to come back this time because they believe that the secular system needs to be protected, our correspondent says.
Turkish election primer Your questions answered Turkish voters' viewsTurkish election primer Your questions answered Turkish voters' views
The role of religion here will be a key issue at the ballot box, and so will Turkey's relations with the outside world, our correspondent adds. At a polling station in the centre of the capital, voters have been streaming in since early morning, she adds.
Nationalist sentiment is running high, fed by bitter disappointment with the EU. Renewed fighting with separatist Kurds and talk of an incursion into northern Iraq will also influence the result, she says. Earlier, many people broke into applause as Turkey's military Chief of Staff, General Yasar Buyukanit, arrived to cast his vote.
All election banners, slogans and party flags were taken down on Saturday night, in accordance with Turkey's electoral law. The early election was called after the generals warned that Turkey's strict secular system was in danger and the army was prepared to step in to defend it.
Turkey's relations with the outside world, ongoing fighting with separatist Kurds and speculation of an incursion into northern Iraq are also expected to influence the vote.
Record of growthRecord of growth
The election has been called in an effort to break a stalemate over a package of constitutional reforms proposed by the current government of Prime Minister Recip Tayyip Erdogan. The election has been called in an effort to break a stalemate over a package of constitutional reforms proposed by Mr Erdogan's current government.
Those reforms include a proposal for the country's president to be elected directly by the people, rather than by parliament.Those reforms include a proposal for the country's president to be elected directly by the people, rather than by parliament.
They were put forward by the AK Party, whose candidate for the presidency, Abdullah Gul, was repeatedly rejected by parliament.They were put forward by the AK Party, whose candidate for the presidency, Abdullah Gul, was repeatedly rejected by parliament.
Turkey's current president and its secularist establishment have vowed to resist what they regard as the Islamist agenda of the AK Party.Turkey's current president and its secularist establishment have vowed to resist what they regard as the Islamist agenda of the AK Party.
Mr Erdogan's government denies the claims, saying its record in office proves the contrary.Mr Erdogan's government denies the claims, saying its record in office proves the contrary.
The government has overseen almost five straight years of economic growth and opened membership negotiations with the European Union.The government has overseen almost five straight years of economic growth and opened membership negotiations with the European Union.