For Turkey's presidential election run-off that concluded on Sunday, the result is in and the verdict is out. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has won the unprecedented run-off vote, trumping his rival Kemal Kilicdaroglu, to claim the beginning of his third decade into power in Ankara's corridors of power, data published by state-run Anadolu news agency showed.
According to the Supreme Election Council, Erdogan defeated his opponent Kemal Kilicdaroglu with 52.14 per cent of the vote in the second round of voting on Sunday. Kilicdaroglu garnered 47.86 per centt of the vote.
The development occurs two weeks after the incumbent president failed to secure more than 50 per cent of the votes required for an outright victory in the first round on May 14.
Erdogan had won 49.per cent of the vote on May 14, while his rival Kilicdaroglu had received 44.88 per cent.
This was for the first time in Turkey's history that a second run off vote was required for the final presidential election result.
"We can say bye bye to Kemal. Bye bye and bye Kemal," Erdogan told a roaring crowd of supporters in Istanbul as the counting of votes closed.
No one can look down on our people: Erdogan after clinching presidency
Referring to the congratulatory wishes that poured in towards Erdogan after his victory in the presidential polls appeared imminent, Erdogan said that countries are "sharing their joy" of his electoral win. "No one can look down on our people," he added.
Kilicdaroglu led a strong campaign in the days leading up to the run-off, while attempting to bring nationalists on his side by blowing the rhetoric over divisive Syrian refugees' issue.
Turkey will be continued to be run by Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the president since 2014 and prime minister from 2003.
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