Turkey likely headed to run-off vote after closely fought poll

Europe

According to BBC reports: A run-off between President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his main challenger looks increasingly likely, after Turkey’s most closely fought election in decades

Turkey’s Supreme Election Council says Erdogan is on 49.49% of the vote, with his rival Kemal Kilicdaroglu on 44.79%, with nearly all the votes counted

If neither men secure 50%, there will be a second poll in two weeks’ time

Erdogan has told his AK Party supporters in Ankara that he is ready for a run-off poll if necessary, but believes he can still win outright

Kilicdaroglu has vowed to win the election in a second round, saying his rival failed to get a vote of confidence from the people

The election comes against the background of soaring inflation and in the aftermath of devastating earthquakes.