Election scenes from Turkey: Voters head to the polls in king and astronaut costumes

Turkey is casting its votes to elect its local administrators. The election is also witnessing some colorful scenes. In Düzce, national Muay Thai athlete Muhammet Bişgin went to the polls in an astronaut suit he designed himself, while in Adana, one individual arrived in a king costume.

63-year-old retiree Şahin Ünal, who wore the city's traditional attire, cast his vote at the Buhara Secondary School in the Toros neighborhood of the central Çukurova district.

Casting his vote while wearing his traditional shalwar outfit and holding his prayer beads, Ünal stated in his remarks that he generally prefers traditional clothing on weekends.

Explaining that they spend time wearing traditional clothes at Adana's historic Great Clock Tower (Büyüksaat), Ünal said, "Today is election day. I thought I'd make a change. I came to vote like this. Now I will go to the historic Great Clock Tower to sit with my friends, and we will wait for iftar. My prayer beads attract a lot of attention. Prayer beads are indispensable for me. I might forget my ID when leaving the house, but I never forget my prayer beads."

"THE KING OF ADANA" ALSO VOTED

69-year-old Hüseyin Şen, known as the "King of Adana" due to his habit of wearing a king costume and a crown while walking around the city, also cast his vote at the Bilge Kağan Secondary School in the Çınarlı neighborhood of the central Sarıçam district.

Explaining that he promotes the city voluntarily, Şen said, "All my brothers and sisters in Adana have accepted me. I walk around the city as a king. My goal is to promote Adana voluntarily. I walk the streets in this outfit. My outfit is orange and white. These colors are the symbols of Adana. I came to vote like this today as well. Those who take photos and videos with me are very happy. When they are happy, I am happy too."

VOTED IN AN ASTRONAUT COSTUME

In Düzce, 34-year-old Bişgin, who left his home in the Beyciler neighborhood wearing his astronaut costume, went to the Beyciler Primary School where he was set to vote.

Bişgin, who took photos with citizens who showed great interest in him, then cast his vote at ballot box number 1085.

In his statement, Bişgin said that he was inspired by Turkey's first astronaut, Alper Gezeravcı, while designing the costume.

News Source: AA