Austrian far-right leader Norbert Hofer concedes defeat in presidential polls

"I am infinitely sad that it didn't work out," Reuters quoted Hofer as saying in a Facebook post after the polls ended.

Vienna: Austrian far-right leader Norbert Hofer conceded defeat in the presidential polls held on Sunday.

Hofer, who led the anti-immigration and anti-Islam Freedom Party (FPO), lost the election to former Greens leader Alexander Van der Bellen.

"I am infinitely sad that it didn't work out," Reuters quoted Hofer as saying in a Facebook post an hour after the polls ended.

Sunday's election was a re-run of a May vote that was overturned due to counting irregularities, the report said.

Citing a projection by pollster SORA, the report said Van der Bellen had a lead over Hofer by 69 percent of votes.

The exit poll showed Van der Bellen bagged 53.3 percent of votes while Hofer 46.7 percent.

"Should this projection really be true, at which point we can be pleased, it is a good day for Austria," Reuters quoted Van der Bellen's campaign manager Lothar Lockl as saying.

Hofer had made clear he would take bold steps if he wins, including calling for referendums on a range of issues.