Days after the Feb. 6 earthquake that killed more than 42,000 people in Turkey, an official said it created serious difficulties for holding elections on time. Now sources close to the Turkish president say the government has rejected the idea of postponing the elections, Reuters writes.

It is very likely that an agreement will be reached to hold elections on June 18, a government spokesman said, adding that Erdogan and his nationalist ally Devlet Bahceli will meet to make a final decision.

The source also said that the idea of postponing the elections has been cast a shadow, as there is a perception that the government is avoiding the elections, due to the opposition's negative reaction to the proposal and legal issues related to the constitution.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his ruling Justice and Development Party have not commented on the timing of the upcoming elections.

Before the earthquake, Erdogan's popularity was undermined by the rising cost of living and the falling value of the lira. Since then, he has faced a wave of criticism over his government's response to the deadliest earthquake in the country's modern history.

On Wednesday, Turkey launched a temporary wage support scheme and banned layoffs in 10 cities to protect workers and businesses from the financial impact of the quake.

A government source told the agency that if elections were held in May, as Erdogan had previously planned, there would be little time for election authorities to prepare and logistical arrangements for voting by those affected in the quake zone, which is home to about 13 million people.

He also noted that the view that the elections should take place on June 18 has gained weight.

Another senior Turkish source said the idea of postponing the elections has been postponed.