Erdoğan secures re-election in closely contested runoff

All updates local time (GMT+3)

Election results

(Açılan sandık: Opened ballot box rate, Katılım oranı: Voter turnout)

01.00: Our live coverage has concluded

00.54: Erdoğan hails beginning of "century of Turkey" in victory speech

Despite promising greater inclusivity in his upcoming term, the president persisted in leveling accusations of "terror ties" against his political opponent.

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00.36: World leaders congratulate Erdoğan

With President Erdoğan securing his third term, congratulations pour in from world leaders. Azerbaijan's President Aliyev invites Erdoğan to visit, while Qatar's Emir emphasizes strong relations. Pakistan's Prime Minister hails Erdoğan as a voice for oppressed Muslims.

Leaders like Hungary's Prime Minister Orban and Iran's President Raisi also send their congratulations. European Council President Michel and European Commission President von der Leyen emphasize the importance of deepening EU-Turkey ties.

President Vladimir Putin of Russia and President Zelenskyy of Ukraine expressed hope for cooperation on security and stability in his message. Armenian Prime Minister Pashinyan looked forward to the normalization of relations.

President Biden extended his congratulations, expressing his eagerness to continue working together as NATO Allies on bilateral issues and shared global challenges.

23.16: Election results show people endorse change, says Demirtaş

Selahattin Demirtaş, the imprisoned former leader of the HDP, has urged the public not to lose hope after the election results.

Releasing a statement on Twitter, Demirtaş said, "Achieving this vote percentage with principled and ethical election campaign against a massive operation force that has taken control of the state can be considered a miracle.

"In fact, it was not just an election, but a major operation. The election process was marred by significant inequalities, pressures, incredible lies, slanders, and defamation.

"Despite all of these, the people unequivocally endorsed change, but the entire process was manipulated. We haven't been defeated. And because we haven't been defeated, nobody should lose hope. There is no surrender. The struggle continues, continues, and continues."

22.43: Six opposition leaders gather at CHP headquarters

Leaders of the six parties comprising the Nation's Alliance have gathered at the headquarters of Kılıçdaroğlu's Republican People's Party (CHP) to assess today's election results. No public statement is expected after the meeting, Halk TV reported.

22.40: Election body declares Erdoğan winner

Holding a press conference, Supreme Election Council (YSK) Chair Ahmet Yener has declared Recep Tayyip Erdoğan the winner of the election, according to the provisional results. Noting that over 99 percent of the votes have been counted, the remaining votes will not change the result, he stated.

22.18: Both opposition and Erdoğan should draw lessons from elections results, says Akşener

İYİ Party leader Meral Akşener has urged voters not to feel "defeated and pessimistic" following the conclusion of the second round of elections and assured that her party will draw necessary lessons from the outcome.

"We will carry out the opposition duty bestowed upon us by our people. Our people have spoken in this election, and it is our responsibility to receive their message and act accordingly," said Akşener.

Akşener emphasized the importance of not allowing the people succumb to hopelessness or a sense of defeat due to the election results.

"I extend my congratulations to Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for his re-election as president, according to unofficial results," she said.

"Furthermore, I would like to remind Mr. Erdoğan that there are lessons he must also take away from the election results. It is my hope that his greed does not blind his vision once again. I sincerely hope that he remembers he is the president of all those who voted and conducts himself accordingly.

"I also hope that he does not neglect the task of restoring our polarized country to a state of reason."

Having said that, she criticized Erdoğan over his speech in İstanbul in the evening, where the crowd booed Kılıçdaroğlu after his remarks.

"As the İYİ Party, we will interpret the election results in this manner and learn the necessary lessons.

"For us, what matters is the result, and tomorrow marks a new beginning."

21.51: Kılıçdaroğlu vows to continue the fight after election defeat

In the aftermath of his election loss, Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu held a press conference where he declared his determination to persevere in the ongoing struggle. In a firm tone, he stated, "I couldn't remain silent against an unfair, unlawful order. I didn't. I couldn't remain silent against the coming of millions of refugees and our citizens being treated as second class. I didn't."

Reflecting on the recently concluded election process, Kılıçdaroğlu criticized its lack of fairness, describing it as "the most unfair in recent years." He highlighted the mobilization of the state's resources to serve the interests of a single party, placing them at the disposal of one individual.

Despite the challenges and pressures faced, Kılıçdaroğlu emphasized that the will to change the authoritarian regime persisted, saying, "The determination to alter the fabric of this oppressive system emerged, defying all the obstacles."

Undeterred by the election setback, Kılıçdaroğlu pledged to remain at the forefront of the ongoing struggle until genuine democracy is established in the country. "Until our nation truly experiences democracy, we will continue to be the pioneers of this fight," he affirmed.

While expressing his concerns about the significant challenges ahead for the country, Kılıçdaroğlu assured the public that he and his supporters would stand firm against these adversities, stating, "I want you to know that we will oppose these challenges with all our might."

In conclusion, Kılıçdaroğlu extended his gratitude to the 25 million citizens who voted for him and urged them to maintain their morale and resilience. "I want our supporters to remain high-spirited and unwavering. Our journey continues, and we stand tall," he concluded.

20.27: Erdoğan addresses supporters in İstanbul

Prior to his departure for Ankara, the capital, the president delivered a speech atop a bus to a jubilant crowd in Üsküdar, Istanbul, near his residence.

"We have achieved a victory where nobody is left behind," declared the president.

Erdoğan further urged voters of the opposition to hold his rival, Kılıçdaroğlu, responsible for his loss.

Further in his speech, Erdoğan once again accused opposition parties of being "LGBTI supporters" as he named each party individually. He stated, "In our culture, family is sacred. No one can interfere with the family. We will strangle anyone who dares to touch it."

20.10: Vice president celebrates "century of Turkey"

Vice President Fuat Oktay has hailed Erdoğan's apparent win in the elections, saying, "The Century of Turkey has begun."

"Our nation, our state, and a strong Turkey have emerged as the winners," Oktay tweeted. ''Our esteemed nation has once again decided on the 'Right Man' by saying, 'The word, the decision, and the future belong to the people.' They have chosen to continue with our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, stating 'No stopping, onward we go'."

20.01: Kılıçdaroğlu to hold a press conference

The opposition candidate will address a press conference at 9.30 p.m., the CHP has announced.

19.58: Election body releases latest official results

Ahmet Yener, the chairperson of the Supreme Election Board (YSK), shared an updated, as 54.61% of the ballots have been counted.
Thus far, incumbent Recep Tayyip Erdoğan captured 54.47%, while Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu received 45.53% of the vote. The official results lag behind those of the news agencies.

19.54: AKP spokesperson criticizes opposition as balance tips in favor of Erdoğan

AKP spokesperson Ömer Çelik commented on the ongoing second round of the presidential election, stating that they respect the process and the results.

The outcomes are tilting in favor of incumbent Erdoğan after his rival Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu held a tight lead in ANKA's initial results.

"Turkey experienced a second round election for the first time. The announced results indicate that the strong support for our President continues," Çelik stated, further responding to CHP spokesperson Faik Öztrak's remarks earlier in the evening and criticizing the opposition for creating confusion.

He reminded them of their misleading statements on May 14, referring to the speeches of Ankara and İstanbul's Mayors during the night of the first round of the presidential elections.

"They came out on the night of May 14 and said, 'We have won, and we are speaking on behalf of the 13th President.' They irresponsibly, disrespectfully, and inappropriately downplayed all official data and the data of other parties," the AKP official said.

Additionally, Çelik mentioned that while CHP does not have a custom of balcony speeches, it is a strong tradition for their President to address the people after they have expressed their will.

19.43: Erdoğan to give 'balcony speech' at Presidential Complex

According to reports, President Erdoğan will break tradition by delivering his traditional victory speech at the Presidential Complex instead of his AKP's headquarters

19:17: CHP spokesperson reiterates warning against disruptive balcony speech amidst the neck-and-neck race

CHP Spokesperson Faik Öztrak made a second appearance before the cameras to make statements regarding the election results.

"Our systems are working. According to the results we have received, there is a neck-and-neck race. I want to remind our officials at the ballot boxes once again for us to prevail," said Öztrak, stating that they will track and prevent any irregularities that could occur during the counting process.

He repeated not to muddy the waters with balcony speeches.

19:07: Quarter of votes counted, according to main electoral body's president

25% of counted votes have been officially registered, Ahmet Yener, the president of the Supreme Election Board (YSK) announced, adding that everything is going smoothly.

18.45: Akşener urges observers not to leave polling stations 'until the last moment'

İYİ (Good) Party leader Meral Akşener addressed the press at her party's headquarters. "I hope these elections will be beneficial for our esteemed nation because the result will be determined by their decision. Of course, our hope, belief, and wish are for this decision to lead to a change in this monstrous system," she said.

"All members of the Nation Alliance, including observers and polling station officials, should stay at their respective ballot boxes until the last moment," she added.

18.26: YSK: Broadcast ban lifted, no 'negative incidents'

Supreme Election Council (YSK) Chair Ahmet Yener announced to the press at 18:15 that the broadcast ban has been lifted.

"As we mentioned in our previous statement, the YSK has convened to determine when the broadcast ban will be lifted. As of 18:15, press members and news agencies are allowed to publish and enter data," he said.

"Currently, data entry is ongoing in our system without any issues.

"Real-time data is also being shared with the representatives of the 24 political parties participating in the May 14, 2023 elections, as well as the representatives of the presidential candidates."

Earlier in the day, Yener said, "There have been no negative incidents during the voting process. Objections have been sent to the relevant provincial and district election boards. We thank the voters, presidential candidates, political parties, esteemed members of the YSK, party members, and all officials involved."

18.14: CHP spokesperson warns against 'muddying the waters with balcony speeches'

CHP spokesperson Faik Öztrak held a press conference at the party's headquarters after the closing of ballot boxes of the presidential runoff.

Öztrak warned against manipulating and rushing the results, urging everyone to wait for the final outcome and emphasizing the importance of safeguarding the ballots.

''We have seen in the past how the first results announced by the official state agency can be manipulated and changed quickly, so we urge everyone to wait for our announcement at 19:00 and to guard the ballot boxes until then. We warn that no one should create a fait accompli until the results are finalized,'' the politician states, further warning against ''muddying the waters with balcony speeches''.

17.51: Journalists face attacks, obstructions during voting

As reports of attacks and election violations emerge from various cities in Turkey, journalists also faced attacks and obstacles on election day. The blamed the AKP officials and observers for the attacks.

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17.41: CHP İstanbul chairperson calls to protect ballot boxes

In her speech just before the polling stations closed, CHP İstanbul chairperson Canan Kaftancıoğlu called on citizens to protect their votes, citing incidents at ballot boxes that started occurring after 3:00 p.m., including an assault on a volunteer in Esenler.

The polling stations closed at 5:00 p.m. The initial results are expected to be announced shortly.

17.00: Voting ends

The voting process ended as of 5 p.m., and the counting has begun.

While the broadcast ban on the results ends at 9 p.m. officially, head of the Supreme Election Council announced earlier in the day that they might brought it forward.

"On May 14, we witnessed an election where our presidential candidates and 24 political parties participated. In this election, with only candidates competing for the presidency, we anticipate an earlier conclusion," he said.

The council has convened to make a decision.

15.19: Opposition reports voting irregularities

The CHP, the HDP and the Communist Pary of Turkey have alleged irregularities in several provinces throughout the country.

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13.35: Attack on CHP observer in Urfa after dispute over irregularities in voting

Ali Şeker, former MP of the Republican People's Party (CHP) was beaten in the Karaelli village of Eyyübiye, Urfa, because he objected to alleged irregularities at a ballot box.

Şeker described the attackas an "attempted lynch," saying about 30 people attacked him.

"They are casting votes also in the name of the voters who do not show up. Not a single woman came to vote. They continued the irregularities after the attempted lynch again. After our MP Mahmut Tanal came, I left the place," he said.

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12.42: Police, gendarmerie file complaint against CHP İstanbul head

The complaints concern Kaftancıoğlu's warning to ballot committee members about potential multiple voting by police officers, who have the permission to cast votes at any polling station within their assigned areas, as stated in an official press release.

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10.56: Leaders cast their votes

The leaders of the political parties are casting their votes and conveying their messages in the runoff vote for the presidential elections.

Green Left (Yeşil Sol) Party Co-Speakers Çiğdem Kılıçgün Uçar and İbrahim Akın have cast their votes and said they hoped May 28 voting will bring equality, freedom, and democracy to Turkey.

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08.48: Last minute promise from Kılıçdaroğlu

In last-minute promise, Kılıçdaroğlu announced that one of the first decrees he will sign will be one issued to enable football matches to be broadcast on the public TV channel TRT without encryption if he wins the election.

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07.43: CHP İstanbul head warns against multiple voting by officers

Again hours left to the election Canan Kaftancıoğlu, the Chairperson of CHP in İstanbul, cautioned balloting committee members about police officers, while they are casting votes.

Kaftancıoğlu reminded all that "police officers can cast their votes with the original of document number 142, and they have to submit the document to the balloting committee chairperson." She asked the balloting committee members to be careful so as not to allow any people to cast votes with a photocopy of the document, or with another document.

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(VK/WM/PE)