Expat Turks who began voting as of May 8 for the forthcoming June 7 elections have only two more days to cast their votes. According to reports, so far, 717,000 Turkish citizens have voted for the highly critical elections that will shape the future of Turkish politics. The number, which is expected to reach 1 million by the end of the deadline, puts Turkish expats at the top of the list with regards to voter turnout rate. For expat Turks, voting is approaching an end, as the due date is May 31. The turnout rate increased 30 times comprated to the presidential elections of August, an official from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) said.The coordinator of elections abroad, Justice and Development Party (AK Party) deputy Harun Tüfekçi announced on Friday that the turnout rate has increased 30 times compared to the presidential elections of August, during which Turks abroad were permitted to vote for elections in Turkey for the first time. There were 535,000 Turkish citizens who voted in the presidential elections and even more interest has been shown by expats in the upcoming June elections, considering the turnout rate. Although the deadline is near, voting at the border gates will continue until June 7.Discussions of the possible results of the upcoming June 7 general elections mostly focus on two questions, one being whether the AK Party will gain enough seats in Parliament to lead as a single party, and the other, whether the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), which is vying to pass the 10 percent election threshold hurdle, will make it into Parliament. Thus, the elections, during which every single vote will count, have been also closely monitored abroad.The AK Party is expected to gain support from more than half of the electrotes abroad, a rate which surpasses the average proportion of votes it is predicted to receive in Turkey.Germany turned out to constitute the majority of the expat votes, according to data released on Thursday. There has been a considerable turnout in Germany, compared to the presidential elections. June's elections are also significant, as it is the first time that Turks abroad are voting for general elections in Turkey. During the presidential elections, 111,933 Turks went to the ballot box in Germany, whereas for the general elections, 413,009 have cast their votes.Aware of the potential of the votes, Republican People's Party (CHP) Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Chairman Devlet Bahçeli and HDP Co-Chair Selahattin Demirtaş kicked off their election campaigns by holding their first rallies in Germany. Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu also paid a visit to the country on May 3, addressing Turkish citizens in Dortmund and asking for their support. The party leaders seek to garner votes from Turkish citizens living abroad by offering them a chance to choose their representatives.Turks living abroad are able to cast their ballot four weeks before the June 7 election at consulates in many countries.Ballot boxes have been placed at customs offices at the Turkish border points of Sarp, Kapıkule, Pazarkule, Ipsala, Hamzabeyli, Dilucu and Dereköy; Şakirpaşa, Esenboğa, Antalya, Eskişehir, Elazığ, Gaziantep, Hatay, Istanbul Atatürk, Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen, Adnan Menderes, Erkilet, Konya Military, Dalaman, Bodrum-Milas, Samsun, Trabzon and Zonguldak airports and Kuşadası, Ayvalık, Çeşme, Derince, Mersin, Taşucu, Marmaris, Bodrum and Samsun port gates.The Supreme Election Board announced earlier that 112 polling stations would be opened in 54 countries to serve the almost three million Turkish nationals living abroad.Political analysts are delivering their opinions on whether the AK Party, even as the leading party, can receive enough votes to have 400 deputies in Parliament, a target that will pave the way for the party to change the Constitution and bring in a presidential system. The HDP, on the other hand, which entered the elections as a party – many believe taking a risk – is in pursuit of breaking the 10-percent election threshold. The HDP is building its election campaign to garner more votes from particular target sections of the electorate that are more likely to vote for them, making promises honing in on these specific sections.The HDP recently vowed to close the Directorate of Religious Affairs to appeal to the Alevi community, which is not willing to be attached to the body. HDP Co-Chair Selahattin Demirtaş also kicked off his election campaign in Berlin, where he called on the Kurdish-Turkish electorate to help the party pass the threshold. The CHP, on the other hand, is leaning on economic issues to attract voters.However, it is often criticized for making populist promises, and their ability to realize the promises has been called into question. The MHP, due to its nationalist ideology, has announced in its election manifesto that the reconciliation process would be halted if elected. It is believed to be increasing its votes compared to previous elections, as the rise of the HDP also triggered tensions in some circles that are expected to vote for the MHP in reaction to the HDP.