ISTANBUL (AP) — Turkey chooses Sunday among three candidates for president, a post that until now has been largely ceremonial. Turkey’s 12th president will become the first to be directly elected by voters instead of by Parliament.

A candidate needs an absolute majority to win outright on Aug. 10. If none succeeds, a runoff will be held two weeks later on Aug. 24 — with victory going to the candidate with the most votes. The presidency has a five-year term.