'Widespread suspicion' Turkey’s elections will be rigged, Erdogan's critics claim

Turkish President and People's Alliance's presidential candidate Recep Tayyip Erdogan gives a speech during an election campaign rally in Ankara, Sunday, April 30. Picture: AP Photo/Ali Unal

As Turkey heads for presidential and parliamentary elections at the weekend that are shaping up to be the strongest challenge to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in his 20 years as leader, complaints are growing about the fairness of the vote.

Turkey’s opposition has long said the country’s elections are played out on an unlevel playing field, claims often backed by international observers.