An independent parliamentary candidate has been shot dead in Istanbul, ahead of general elections on July 22, a volunteer in his campaign has said.

Tuncay Seyranlioglu, 42, was shot in his car after participating in a television show on Monday evening, Hatice Ata, who worked for Seyranlioglu's campaign, said.

Police arrested the assailants early on Tuesday, who escaped in a black car, the Dogan news agency reported.

Turkey, a Muslim country and secular democracy that is seeking European Union membership, will elect a new parliament on Sunday for a five-year term.

Three other people in the candidate's car were injured in the attack and taken to a hospital, Ata said. None were in critical condition.

 

The agency said Seyranlioglu, who was a businessman, allegedly owed suspects money and that he was previously accused of fraud.

Election

More than 42 million Turks, out of a population in excess of 70 million people, are expected to vote in general elections, which were called four months early following political tensions over the election of the next president.

The tensions pitted the party of Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the prime minister, against more secular opposition.

There are 14 parties and some 700 independent candidates contesting 550 parliament seats.

Parties must win at least 10 per cent of the national vote to earn seats in Parliament.