Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has won re-election, in a tense run-off after he failed to secure more than 50 percent of votes required for an outright victory in the first round on May 14.

With 97 percent of ballot boxes opened, Erdogan reportedly received 52.1 percent of votes in the second round on Sunday, beating his challenger, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, who won 47.9 percent.

The official Supreme Election Council has yet to confirm the results.

The vote seals Erdogan’s place in history as he extends his 20-year rule for a further five years.

He had already outstripped the 15-year presidency of the Republic of Turkey’s founder, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.

As Erdogan’s victory seemed complete, crowds headed to the presidential palace in Ankara to wait for his celebratory speech.

Prior to that, Erdogan appeared outside his residence in Istanbul’s Uskudar, where he sang before thanking an adoring crowd.

“We have completed the second round of the presidential elections with the favour of our people,” Erdogan said. “God willing we will be worthy of your trust as we have been for the last 21 years.”

He added that all 85 million citizens of the country were the “victors” of the two rounds of voting on May 14 and May 28.

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