Turkish citizens living abroad began casting their ballots on Thursday in the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections scheduled for May 14, at Turkey's airports and border gates.

Incumbent President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is seeking a new five-year term against his main rival Kemal Kilicdaroglu, leader of the Republican People's Party (CHP), as the presidential candidate of the opposition parties' alliance.

Recent polls suggest it will be a tight race between the two main candidates, both campaigning to improve the quality of life for many Turks affected by the recent economic downturn.

If no candidate receives more than 50 percent of the vote in the first round, a second round will be held on May 28.