Turkey's Erdogan clinches second term with majority vote

Turkey's long-standing leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan has won Turkey's presidential poll in the first round, the head of the country's election authority says.

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan greets supporters outside a voting station. Source: Getty Images Europe

Re-elected Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has vowed to continue to "liberate Syrian lands" so that refugees can return to Syria safely.

Erdogan and his ruling AK Party won a new mandate in presidential elections in the first round of voting by winning more than half of the votes, the chief of Turkey's election authority said on Monday.

"President Recep Tayyip Erdogan received the absolute majority of all valid votes," the head of the Supreme Election Committee (YSK) Sadi Guven told reporters in Ankara, without giving further details or numbers after Sunday's polls.

"Starting from tomorrow we will begin working to fulfil pledges we made to our people. We have completed our preparations regarding the new presidential system to a large extent," Erdogan said in a victory speech delivered from the balcony of the AK Party's headquarters in Ankara shortly after 3am. 

"Turkey made its decision in favour of fighting decisively against all terrorist organisations including PKK and FETO. At the same time, these results show we will continue to liberate Syrian lands and open the way for our guests in our country to return home safely."

Results released by Turkey's state-run Anadolu news agency based on data from the YSK also gave Erdogan a clear majority of votes.

Erdogan won 52.5 per cent in the presidential poll while his main rival Muharrem Ince, of the secular Republican People's Party (CHP), was on 31.7 per cent, Anadolu news agency said, based on a 99 per cent vote count.

The YSK is to announce final results on Friday.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan addressed his supporters after claiming victory in critical elections. Source: AAP

The official announcement comes after Erdogan declared victory in the tightly-contested presidential election, extending his 15-year grip on power in the face of a revitalised opposition.

"The unofficial results of the elections have become clear. According to these... I have been entrusted by the nation with the task and duties of the presidency," Erdogan said earlier at his Istanbul residence.

"Turkey has given a lesson in democracy to the entire world," he added, pointing to an 88 per cent turnout. 

He added that the alliance led by the AKP had won the majority in parliament.