Turkey election: Erdogan wins second term as president

IANS  |  Ankara 

Turkey's has won the country's presidential poll in the first round, the has said.

Turkish put Erdogan on 53 per cent with 99 per cent of votes counted, and his closest rival Muharrem on 31 per cent.

The opposition is yet to officially concede but said it would continue its democratic fight "whatever the result".

It had earlier cast doubt on results being broadcast by Final results will be announced on Friday.

Erdogan said the governing alliance of his had secured a majority in parliament.

"has given a lesson in democracy to the entire world," he said.

Under Turkey's new constitution, due to come into force after the election, the will hold considerable power.

Some critics argue the enhanced role will see too much power accumulated in one person's hands, and that lacks the checks and balances of other executive presidencies such as or the US.

With 96 per cent of the votes for parliament counted, the president's leads with 42 per cent of the votes, Anadolu news agency reports. The main opposition CHP is on 23 per cent.

Turkey's electoral board confirmed that the pro-Kurdish HDP has reached the 10 per cent threshold needed to enter parliament. Before the vote, analysts said this might make it harder for and its ally the MHP to reach a majority, although currently they are on course to do so.

Voter turnout was high, at almost 87 per cent.

"I hope nobody will try to cast a shadow on the results," Erdogan said.

There are reports that CHP has admitted defeat in a message to a journalist,

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

First Published: Mon, June 25 2018. 07:06 IST