Every election is a test and an opportunity for evaluation, said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Saturday as he hailed his ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party's victory in last month's local elections.

"In truth, we didn't lose in Istanbul and Ankara. On the contrary, we actually won the elections in Istanbul and Ankara," declared Erdoğan at an AK Party meeting in Turkish capital Ankara.

"There are some rumors that the ruling AK Party actually gave up hope [on Istanbul mayoral election]. To be frank, we will continue our legal struggle until the end," Erdoğan asserted.

"Our nation says it is certain that the mayoral election of Istanbul is questionable. All doubts must be eliminated so that the people feel relieved," continued Erdoğan.

Millions of Turkish voters cast their votes nationwide on March 31 in local elections to choose Turkey’s mayors, city council members, mukhtars (neighborhood officials), and members of elder councils for the next five years.

Addressing the events of 1915, Erdoğan objected to the use of the term "genocide" by European leaders.

"The Armenian relocation was neither genocide, nor a great disaster; but a tragedy took place under troublesome conditions century ago."

Turkey's position on the events of 1915 is that the deaths of Armenians in eastern Anatolia took place when some sided with invading Russians and revolted against Ottoman forces. A subsequent relocation of Armenians resulted in numerous casualties.

Turkey objects to the presentation of the incidents as "genocide" but describes the events of 1915 as a tragedy in which both sides suffered casualties. Ankara has repeatedly proposed the creation of a joint commission of historians from Turkey and Armenia plus international experts to tackle the issue.