Croatia's presidential election has been extended to a run-off between Ivo Josipovic of main opposition Social Democratic Party and independent candidate Zagreb mayor Milan Bandic.

None of the candidates were close to the 50 per cent support needed for an outright win in the election held on Sunday.

Official results declared Monday by the state electoral commission said Josipovic received 32.44 per cent of the vote, and Bandic 14.84 per cent. Andrija Hebrang of the ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) came third with just over 12 per cent.

Twelve candidates were in the running on Sunday to replace Stipe Mesic who will step down in February after serving the maximum two five-year terms.

About 4.4 million people, including more than 400,000 Croats living abroad, were eligible to vote. According to the state electoral commission 43.96 per cent or 1.975.909 people voted on Sunday.

The second round of voting will be held on January 10.