Istanbul, May 28: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is in the lead in Sunday's run-off presidential election, as per early leads, and has claimed victory, media reports said.

Officials said with more than half of ballot boxes counted, Erdogan had secured around 53 per cent of the vote, while his rival, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, had 47 per cent, the BBC reported. Turkey Presidential Election 2023 Results: President Recep Tayyip Erdogan Wins Re-Election, Extending His 20 Years in Power.

Addressing supporters outside his AK Party headquarters here, Erdogan, who was on top of campaign bus, began by singing to the crowd. Thanking voters, he said they had given him responsibility to rule Turkey for another five years.

Traffic was at a complete standstill amid the celebratory atmosphere as car drivers sounded their horns and flashed their lights while others hung out of vehicles waving Turkish flags. Turkey Presidential Election 2023 Results: President Recep Tayyip Erdogan Leads in First Unofficial Reports of Runoff Poll Count.

Qatar's Emir Tamim Bin Hamad tweeted: "My dear brother Recep Tayyip Erdogan, congratulations on your victory, and I wish you success in your new term." Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has also hailed Erdogan on an "unquestionable" victory.

The run-off was necessitated as neither candidate managed to secure 50 per cent of votes in the first round, with Erdogan on 49.52 per cent and Kilicdaroglu on 45 per cent.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 28, 2023 11:50 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).