In Photos: Turkey Votes in Earthquake Disaster Zone
1/11A family watches their heavily damaged building be demolished three months after they evacuated during the earthquake that killed more than 50,000 people. “I left even without my shoes,” says Sema, 27, in Nurdagi, Turkey, May, 11, 2023.
Voters in Turkey cast their ballots amid the ruins of the worst natural disaster this region has seen in a century. Despite the suffering, analysts say the contest is fierce and it could change the course of history.
2/11Millions of people were displaced by the earthquakes and many now live in tents with no knowledge of when or if their homes will be repaired or rebuilt, in Hatay, May 13, 2023.
Voters in Turkey cast their ballots amid the ruins of the worst natural disaster this region has seen in a century. Despite the suffering, analysts say the contest is fierce and it could change the course of history.
3/11Some voters in Gaziantep say they think outsiders are hoping the opposition will win, but they will be voting for their current government, May 14, 2023.
Voters in Turkey cast their ballots amid the ruins of the worst natural disaster this region has seen in a century. Despite the suffering, analysts say the contest is fierce and it could change the course of history.
4/11Observers at this poll in the city of Gaziantep say the vote is going smoothly and they expect the results to be fairly reported and well-respected, May 14, 2023.
Voters in Turkey cast their ballots amid the ruins of the worst natural disaster this region has seen in a century. Despite the suffering, analysts say the contest is fierce and it could change the course of history.
5/11Turnout in the Turkish elections is expected to be high, with some saying between 70% and 90% of eligible voters may cast ballots, May 14, 2023, in Gaziantep.
Voters in Turkey cast their ballots amid the ruins of the worst natural disaster this region has seen in a century. Despite the suffering, analysts say the contest is fierce and it could change the course of history.
6/11In the areas hardest hit by the earthquakes, polls are held in schools built inside emergency facilities called “containers,” May 14, 2023 in Nurdagi.
Voters in Turkey cast their ballots amid the ruins of the worst natural disaster this region has seen in a century. Despite the suffering, analysts say the contest is fierce and it could change the course of history.
7/11Some observers say the polls in the areas still reeling from the earthquake are not as busy as in past elections because so many people have died or been displaced, May 14, 2023, in Nurdagi.
Voters in Turkey cast their ballots amid the ruins of the worst natural disaster this region has seen in a century. Despite the suffering, analysts say the contest is fierce and it could change the course of history.
8/11As the polls close, voters say the day was peaceful and by all appearances fair and free, but some worry there may be violence if the election results are contested, May 14, 2023 in Nurdagi.
Voters in Turkey cast their ballots amid the ruins of the worst natural disaster this region has seen in a century. Despite the suffering, analysts say the contest is fierce and it could change the course of history.
9/11While opposition supporters are hopeful this may be their first real chance to take power in decades, some voters say life was harder before the current government took over more than 20 years ago, May 14, 2023, in Gaziantep.
Voters in Turkey cast their ballots amid the ruins of the worst natural disaster this region has seen in a century. Despite the suffering, analysts say the contest is fierce and it could change the course of history.
10/11Some locals complain that leaders have been more focused on elections than earthquake recovery in recent months, May 12, 2023, in Nurdagi.
Voters in Turkey cast their ballots amid the ruins of the worst natural disaster this region has seen in a century. Despite the suffering, analysts say the contest is fierce and it could change the course of history.
11/11Even at the polls, residents of southeastern Turkey say it’s hard to focus on elections these days when all they can see around them is sorrow and darkness. May 13, 2023, in Hatay.
Voters in Turkey cast their ballots amid the ruins of the worst natural disaster this region has seen in a century. Despite the suffering, analysts say the contest is fierce and it could change the course of history.
