Erdogan’s AKP leads in Istanbul, Ankara in Turkish local elections

ANKARA (Reuters) – President Tayyip Erdogan’s AK Party (AKP) candidate maintained his lead in Turkey’s mayoral elections in Istanbul after more than 80 percent of ballot boxes were opened, broadcaster NTV said on Sunday.

AKP candidate and former prime minister Binali Yildirim had received 50.1 percent of votes, while the main opposition’s Republican People’s Party (CHP) candidate stood at 47.3 percent, NTV said.

(Reporting by Tuvan Gumrukcu and Ece Toksabay)