Turkey’s main opposition party is set to lodge separate appeals against municipal election results in Antalya and Ankara, where it suffered a narrow defeat to the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).
An official from the Republican People's Party (CHP) on Monday said they are preparing an appeal application by comparing Ankara’s ballot box records with data from the Supreme Electoral Council.
The appeal would be lodged later on Monday or on Tuesday, CHP officials said.
Provisional results announced by Turkish media said Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s AKP won 44.8 percent of the Sunday vote in Ankara compared to the CHP's 43.9 percent.
Opposition supporters gathered at CHP headquarters later in the day claiming fraud.
The CHP is also going to appeal the result in the southern coastal city of Antalya.
Traditionally viewed as a CHP stronghold, Antalya also fell to Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan's AKP.
With 98 percent of the votes counted nationwide, the ruling party has taken the lead with over 45 percent while the CHP has gained only 28 percent.
The Supreme Electoral Board said it could take weeks to announce final official results of the polls as it considers appeals.
However, no major changes are expected to the figures reported by Turkish media.
The Erdogan administration has been faced with mass protests, corruption scandals and criticism for internet blocks over the past months, which mark the most turbulent period in his 11-year-rule.
Erdogan declared victory late on Sunday and warned his rivals that they will “pay the price” for their accusations and criticism.
The elections are seen as a key test for the premier ahead of a presidential vote scheduled for August.
