The TRNC is heading to the polls! The presidential candidate withdrew from the race just hours before the election.

18.10.2025 21:52

In the first round of the presidential election to be held tomorrow in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, independent candidate Hüseyin Gürlek announced that he is withdrawing his candidacy in favor of the current President Ersin Tatar, just hours before the voting process is set to begin.

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Citizens of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) will go to the polls tomorrow to vote in the first round of the presidential election.

JUST HOURS BEFORE THE ELECTION, ERSİN TATAR WITHDREW HIS CANDIDACY

Just hours before the voting process began, a surprising development occurred. Independent presidential candidate Hüseyin Gürlek announced that he has withdrawn his candidacy in favor of the other independent candidate, the current President Ersin Tatar.

"IF IT'S ABOUT THE HOMELAND, THE REST IS DETAIL"

In his statement, Gürlek said, "In this critical election, the interests of the TRNC, the Republic of Turkey, and the entire Eastern Mediterranean are in favor of a two-state solution, and if it's about the homeland, the rest is detail."

Gürlek, who stated that the common sensitivity of everyone who supported him during this process was in this direction, evaluated, "We have carried out a critical duty in the name of serving our people, our homeland, and our nation by providing the necessary awareness on this issue."

"FIRST HOMELAND, FIRST STATE, FIRST TRNC"

Regarding his withdrawal from candidacy, Gürlek noted: "As a result of our evaluations made due to the unending duty to the homeland, I would like to share with the public that I have withdrawn my candidacy in favor of my nation, my state, and President Mr. Ersin Tatar, in accordance with the requirements of the current situation and the election atmosphere. I invite all our people and my friends to fulfill their duties at the polls tomorrow. First homeland, first state, first TRNC."

7 CANDIDATES WILL COMPETE

With Hüseyin Gürlek's withdrawal from candidacy, the number of candidates competing in the presidential election to be held tomorrow has decreased to 7. A total of 218,313 voters will be able to cast their votes in the election.