ISTANBUL — As the run-up to the Turkish elections gathers speed, the race for president appears to be between incumbent Recep Tayyip Erdogan — who formally filed an application for his candidacy in the elections on Tuesday — and opposition leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu. 

But outside the two favorites, 18 other contenders have submitted applications to the Supreme Election Board to compete for the highest office on May 14, offering insight into aspects of Turkish politics not usually seen by outside observers. 

Among the better-known candidates are a former Maoist revolutionary who in recent years has become largely supportive of Erdogan; the son of Turkey’s first Islamist prime minister; and a former member of Kilicdaroglu’s party who failed spectacularly when he stood for the presidency five years ago. 

The candidates, who unlike Erdogan and Kilicdaroglu have not been nominated by parliamentary parties, must jump through a series of hoops to have their applications approved, such as collecting 100,000 signatures of support and paying a fee of some $29,000.