Erdogan Accepts possible runoff

Turkish President Recep Tayip Erdogan, who has led the country for 20 years, is facing a narrow outcome from the vote in the country's presidential elections.

Votes are continuing to be counted and become known there may be a decisive runoff between Erdogan and his main opponent, Kemal Kilicdaroglu.

Final results released after the vote count, whether in a few days or after the second round of voting is held within two weeks, will determine whether Turkey's state, Turkey's ally NATO, remains under Erdogan's control or resumes a more democratic journey, promised by opposition leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu.

Speaking to supporters in Ankara, Erdogan, 69, said he could still win, but that he would respect the citizens' decision if the race goes to a runoff after two weeks.

“We still don't know whether the elections ended in the first round... if our nation has chosen for a second round, this is also welcome”, Erdogan said on Monday morning, noting that the votes of Turkish citizens living abroad must still be counted.

He garnered 60% of diaspora votes in 2018.

This year's elections in Turkey focused mainly on domestic issues such as the economy, civil rights and the February earthquake that left more than 50,000 people dead.

With the informal count almost finished, voter support for the current president had fallen below the required majority to win. Erdogan has 49.3% of the vote, while Kilicdaroglu, 45%, according to state news agency Anadolu.

“We will absolutely win the second round ... and bring democracy”, said Kilicdaroglu, 74, candidate of a six-party alliance, arguing that Erdogan had lost the confidence of a nation that now requires change.

Turkey's election authority, the High Election Board, said it would make public the results as soon as the count is complete and finalised.

According to the board, most of the voting sheets of 3.4 million eligible voters abroad must still be counted, and the May 28th election runoff is not guaranteed.