Turkish Cypriots hit polls

Up to 147,000 eligible Turkish Cypriots headed to polling stations early Sunday morning to cast their votes and elect a new president for their country, which is recognized only by Turkey.

According to Cyprus News Agency, nine candidates are competing in this round of elections, but the strongest two candidates are current Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister and leader of the Turkish republican party Mohammed Ali Talat and former Foreign Minister and leader of the national unity party Derwish Eroglo.

Analysts predict the victory of Talat, as he has been advocating resolving the Cypriot crisis and joining the EU, as well as the fact that he is supported by Turkey, the US and the EU. Recent opinion polls conducted by a US strategic center show Talat with 59 percent of total votes and Eroglo with 23 percent.