Voting in Turkey's local elections began on Sunday, with 57 million registered voters expected to cast their ballots in the country's 81 provinces.

Voters will choose from 12 political parties competing in the local elections.

More than 44 million citizens are expected to vote at 142,777 polling places in 30 biggest cities, called metropolitan municipalities. Meanwhile, 12.8 million voters will vote at 51,851 polling places across 51 provinces in Turkey.

The major competing parties are the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party, main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), Good (IYI) Party, and Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP).

Also taking part are the Independent Turkey Party (BTP), Grand Unity Party (BBP), Democrat Party (DP), Democratic Left Party (DSP), Saadet (Felicity) Party, Communist Party of Turkey (TKP), and Patriotic (Vatan) Party.

Sunday's elections, in which Turks will vote for mayors and other local officials across the country, are the first under the new presidential system, adopted in the April 2017 referendum.

The previous local elections were held in 2014. (QNA)

Related Story