Erdogan vows to respect Turkish election results

Some wonder if Erdogan will relinquish power after 20 years of increasingly authoritarian rule. Photo: OZAN KOSE/AFP via Getty Images

Meanwhile, Mr. Kilicdaroglu donned a bulletproof vest to his two rallies on Friday after receiving what his party called a real threat to his life.

On Friday, Mr. Erdogan warned his conservative supporters that they could face reprisals if his secular rival wins.

Speaking at a rally in Istanbul's conservative district, the 69-year-old said Mr. Kilicdaroglu's opposition alliance is guided by «vindictiveness and greed.» .

«Don't forget,» he told the flag-waving crowd. «You may pay dearly if we lose.»

On Saturday, when he held his last campaign rally in the capital, Erdogan accused the opposition of working with President Joe Biden to topple him.

“Biden gave the order to topple Erdogan, I know that. All my people know about it,” he said. “If that’s the case, then tomorrow’s ballots will give an answer to Biden.”

He recalled comments made by Biden in 2020, in which he said that Washington should encourage Erdogan’s opponents to defeat him in the elections.

Opinion polls show Mr Kilicdaroglu is close to winning the 50% of the vote needed to avoid a runoff on May 28.

Kemal Kilicdaroglu, leader of the opposition Republican People's Party, is on the campaign trail last week Photo: SEDAT SUNA/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

The opposition was helped by the exit of a third party candidate on Thursday, which hindered progress -Kilichdaroglu in the race.

Muharrem Ince claimed that his face appeared in a porn video using deepfake technology.

On Friday, the level of support for Mr. Kilicdaroglu was evident when he appeared in front of a huge crowd in Ankara.

Speaking to his supporters in the rain, Kılıçdaroğlu vowed to restore peace and democracy.

“Are you ready to bring democracy to this country? To bring peace to this country? I promise, I'm ready too,” Kılıçdaroğlu said.

Among the issues he is challenging Erdogan on are the economy and runaway inflation, as well as the catastrophic twin earthquakes in February. Both came to dominate the campaign, with Mr Kilicdaroglu vowing to reverse Mr Erdogan's unconventional economic policies as soon as he took office.

Mr Erdogan was uncharacteristically reticent in predicting the widely viewed Sunday vote results as the most important election in Turkey today.

“The ballot box will show us [on] Sunday,” he told a TV presenter when asked if he would win.< /p>