DHAKA: People in Turkey are voting in local elections that analysts say could determine the political future of prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

They are the first elections since mass protests erupted last June and a corruption scandal hit the government, reports the BBC.

Erdogan is not standing but has campaigned tirelessly in support of his Justice and Development Party (AKP).

The government blocked Twitter and YouTube in the run up to the elections, following a series of online leaks.

Erdogan said social media was spreading misinformation.

On Saturday pro- and anti-government factions held rival demonstrations in Istanbul, which saw the Gezi Park protests of May and June last year.

BDST: 1340 HRS, MAR 30, 2014