Turkey votes in major polls, Recep Tayyip Erdogan's political fate to be decided

Polling stations of the presidential and parliamentary elections in Turkey opened at 8.00 local time (5:00 GMT) on Sunday.

The second round of the presidential election, which will take place if no candidate gains 50% of votes, is scheduled for May 28.

Erdogan's main rival, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, promises to scrap many of the powers acquired by President Erdogan after he survived a failed coup in 2016, reports BBC.

Two issues have troubled Turkey's 64 million voters more than anything: soaring inflation and two earthquakes, the British media reported.

But many voters are also looking for change after two decades, reports BBC.

Meanwhile, Erdogan, earlier in the day, has cast his vote.

Erdoğan voted at the Saffet Çebi Middle School in the Üsküdar district of Istanbul, where there was a lot of attention given to the president, reports Daily Sabah.

First Lady Emine Erdoğan also cast her vote alongside the Turkish leader.

The President told reporters he is following the election closely.

"According to the information I received from my Minister of Interior, the process has continued without incident or problems. The most important thing was voting in the earthquake region — our citizens in the earthquake region voted with enthusiasm and love as well. So there is no problem there as of now," he was quoted as saying by Daily Sabah.

"I hope that after the evening counts, we pray to (Allah) for a better future for our country, nation and Turkish democracy. It is very important that all of our citizens cast their votes until the end of the day with no worries in terms of demonstrating the strength of Turkish democracy. I wish success to all the ballot box committee members and the chairperson. I congratulate them as well."