Istanbul governorate denies election-related arrests

The Istanbul governorate on Monday rejected various media reports claiming that some balloting committee heads and members were arrested in the city after the Sunday's local elections.

In a statement, the governorate said media reports saying some heads and members of balloting committee were arrested in Istanbul "do not reflect reality".

Millions of Turkish voters cast their votes nationwide on Sunday in elections to choose Turkey's mayors, city council members, mukhtars (neighborhood officials), and members of elder councils for the next five years.

Turkey's ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party is leading with 16 metropolitan municipalities (larger cities) and 24 cities claimed by AK Party candidates, according to unofficial results.