Votes are being counted in Turkey after a general election being seen.

The early election was called to resolve a political crisis after parliament repeatedly failed to agree on a candidate for president.

Secular parties and the powerful military blocked the nomination of a candidate for the post backed by the Islamic-rooted ruling AK Party.

They said Turkey's secularism was in danger - a claim the AKP dismissed.

"Our democracy will emerge from this election strengthened," Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan told reporters as he cast his vote in Istanbul.

Some 42 million people were eligible to vote in the poll, while 14 parties are vying for seats in the 550-member parliament.

Voting, which was compulsory, started at 0700 (0400 GMT) in eastern Turkey, and polls opened an hour later in the rest of the country.

All election banners, slogans and party flags were taken down on Saturday night, in accordance with Turkey's electoral law.

Polling stations closed at 1700 local time (1400 GMT).


BBC

Güncelleme Tarihi: 22 Temmuz 2007, 20:55