Erdogan officially declared winner of runoff election

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
29 May 2023 00:37

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been declared the victor in the country's runoff presidential election by the country's election authority.

Supporters of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan celebrate outside his residence in Istanbul, Turkey, May 28, 2023 (AP)

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan won the presidential election with 52.14% of the vote, the Supreme Election Council chief said on Sunday.

"After processing 99.43% of the ballots from polling stations in Turkey and in foreign missions and border crossings, Erdogan received 52.14% of the vote, while [Kemal] Kilicdaroglu received 47.86%," Ahmet Yener told a press conference.

"According to preliminary data, Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been elected the new president of Turkey," Yener underlined.

Erdogan is more than 2 million votes ahead of his opposition rival, the official said.

Reportedly, the final results of the election will be published in the official bulletin on June 1.

In the wake of learning of his election victory, Erdogan, alongside his supporters, celebrated the victory at his home in Istanbul before the official election results not being declared yet.

Speaking from the porch of his home in Istanbul, the Turkish President hailed his supporters and the Turkish people.

Saying: "Bye, bye, bye, Kemal," referring to his opponent, opposition leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu, Erdogan declared his victory before thousands of his supporters in Istanbul as he prepared to lead the country for an additional five years while the country's major cities were celebrating the major victory.

Turks returned to the polls on Sunday for the runoff round of the Turkish election to decide whether President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will extend his rule or will be unseated by his opponent Kemal Kilicdaroglu who promised to "restore a more democratic society" in Turkey.

Polls opened at 8 am local time, and the process ended at 5 pm local time, while results are expected to be announced a few hours after polls close.

Polling stations outside Turkey on Wednesday closed after Turkish expatriates took part in the presidential runoff, while the process is underway at the border points until the afternoon.

On May 14, no presidential candidate ensured 50%+1 of the vote in the first round of the elections.