Iranian President congratulated Turkey on holding local elections successfully, which he described as a proof of democracy in the neighboring nation.

Iran Press/Iran news: In a message to his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday night, President Hassan Rouhani praised the vibrant and successful local and mayoral elections across Turkey as a clear sign of people’s role in deciding their own fate and the rule of democracy.

Congratulating the Turkish government and nation on holding the polls, the Iranian president also wished welfare for the friendly and brotherly neighbor, Iran Press reported.

Turkey held local and mayoral elections across the country on Sunday.

More than 57 million people in the country were registered to vote for mayors and councilors in the election, which came amidst an economic downturn.

This was the first municipal vote since Erdogan assumed sweeping executive powers through last year's presidential election.

State media reported that Erdogan's party won nearly 48 percent of the votes across the country, while the main opposition party, the Republican Peoples' Party (CHP), bagged 31 percent of the vote.

Meanwhile, in election-related violence, dozens of people were injured in clashes across Turkey. Two people were shot dead at a polling station in the eastern city of Malatya. Local reports say a fight broke out after a man refused to use a polling booth, preferring to vote in the open. 105

 

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