This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/6910444.stm

The article has changed 16 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 7 Version 8
Ruling party 'leads Turkish poll' Governing party 'near Turkey win'
(about 2 hours later)
Turkey's ruling AK Party holds a clear lead as general election votes are counted, early projections suggest. Supporters of Turkey's governing AK Party have begun celebrating after partial results put them on the verge of a general election victory.
Initial reports said the AKP, which is rooted in political Islam, would have almost 51% of the nationwide vote, with about a quarter of votes counted. Reports said the AKP, which is rooted in political Islam, had won almost 48% of the nationwide vote.
The main opposition party is holding second place, with about 16% of votes. With 80% of votes counted, the main opposition party was holding second place, with up to 20% of votes.
The early election was called after parliament failed to choose a candidate for president, and was widely seen as a test of Turkey's secular tradition. The vote was called after disputes over a presidential candidate, and was seen as a test of Turkish secularism.
Voting was compulsory and turnout was reported to be extremely high.Voting was compulsory and turnout was reported to be extremely high.
Throughout the campaign the AK Party consistently denied opposition claims that Turkey's secularism was in danger.Throughout the campaign the AK Party consistently denied opposition claims that Turkey's secularism was in danger.
"Our democracy will emerge from this election strengthened," Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan told reporters as he cast his vote on Sunday morning."Our democracy will emerge from this election strengthened," Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan told reporters as he cast his vote on Sunday morning.
This is a battle of different classes, as well as of religion and ideas BBC Europe editor Mark Mardell Read Mark's thoughts in fullThis is a battle of different classes, as well as of religion and ideas BBC Europe editor Mark Mardell Read Mark's thoughts in full
Some 42 million people were eligible to vote in the poll, while 14 parties are vying for seats in the 550-member parliament.Some 42 million people were eligible to vote in the poll, while 14 parties are vying for seats in the 550-member parliament.
Analysts suggested the final results could change slightly after votes are counted in Turkey's major cities, where the AK Party has less support.
Sentiments highSentiments high
Supporters of the AKP streamed onto the streets as early results after the close of polling put the party on the brink of a comprehensive win.
News channel CNN Turk projected that the AKP would win slightly less than 47% of the final vote.News channel CNN Turk projected that the AKP would win slightly less than 47% of the final vote.
But that would be enough to secure the party a majority of seats in the country's 550-member parliament, the channel predicted.But that would be enough to secure the party a majority of seats in the country's 550-member parliament, the channel predicted.
The BBC's Sarah Rainsford, in Ankara, the Turkish capital, says people streamed in to vote from the early morning.The BBC's Sarah Rainsford, in Ankara, the Turkish capital, says people streamed in to vote from the early morning.
Turkish election primer Your questions answered Turkish voters' viewsTurkish election primer Your questions answered Turkish voters' views
Many people broke into applause as Turkey's military Chief of Staff, General Yasar Buyukanit, arrived to cast his vote.Many people broke into applause as Turkey's military Chief of Staff, General Yasar Buyukanit, arrived to cast his vote.
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.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.
But now that ballot boxes have been opened, early results suggest many Turks do not see the AKP as a threat after all, our correspondent says.But now that ballot boxes have been opened, early results suggest many Turks do not see the AKP as a threat after all, our correspondent says.
Turkey's relations with the outside world, ongoing fighting with separatist Kurds and speculation of an incursion into northern Iraq were also expected to influence the vote.Turkey's relations with the outside world, ongoing fighting with separatist Kurds and speculation of an incursion into northern Iraq were also expected to influence the vote.
Record of growthRecord of growth
The election was called in an effort to break a stalemate over a package of constitutional reforms proposed by Mr Erdogan's current government.The election was called in an effort to break a stalemate over a package of constitutional reforms proposed by Mr Erdogan's current government.
Those reforms included a proposal for the country's president to be elected directly by the people, rather than by parliament.Those reforms included 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.

Are you in Turkey? What is your reaction to the results so far? Send us your comments using the form below.
Name