DHAKA: At least 200 top Turkish civil servants, many from the intelligence, finance and transport sectors, have quit their posts to run in parliamentary elections later this year.

The flurry of resignations came ahead of the deadline on Tuesday for government officials to step down if they plan to be candidates in June’s vote.

Most hope to represent the ruling AK Party founded by president Tayyip Erdogan, which is expected to maintain its dominance, and loyalty to the head of state is expected to be a major factor in who gets selected.

News has so far been dominated by Turkey’s powerful spy chief and key Erdogan confidant Hakan Fidan, who quit last week to run, in spite of opposition from his former boss, The Straits Times publishes this report on Wednesday.

BDST: 2100 HRS, FEB 11, 2015