Erdogan 'would welcome' run-off vote after tight race for presidency

TURKEY'S leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan and rival Kemal Kilicdaroglu were locked in a tight race for the presidency today with the election result looking set to be decided by a run-off vote.

- Michael Howie

Mr Erdogan, who has ruled his country with an increasingly firm grip for 20 years, said he could still win but would respect the nation's decision if the election goes to a second round in two weeks' time.

With counting nearly completed, Mr Erdogan had 49.3 per cent of the vote - just short of the 50 per cent needed for victory. Mr Kilicdaroglu, who leads a six-party opposition alliance, was on 45 per cent.

Mr Erdogan, 69, addressed supporters from the balcony of his AK Party headquarters in the capital Ankara today. "We don't yet know if the elections ended in the first round... If our nation has chosen for a second round, that is also welcome," he said.