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‘Yes’ leading in Turkish referendum with a quarter of votes counted – media Erdogan-2029? Early count results show ‘Yes’ vote winning in constitutional reform referendum
(35 minutes later)
With over 30 percent of the ballots counted in the Turkish referendum on the constitutional reform, over 61 percent of voters said ‘yes’ to expanding the powers of Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, local media report. With more than half the ballots counted in the Turkish referendum on constitutional reform, over 56 percent of voters said ‘yes’ to expanding the powers of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, local media report.
Over 57% of ballots have been counted, reports Turkey's state-run Anadolu news agency says, adding that the "yes'' votes are leading with 56.5%.
Polls closed at 4:00pm (13:00 GMT) in the east of the country, and 5:00pm elsewhere.
The turnout has not yet been announced, but it is expected to be high, with 55 million people eligible to vote.
READ MORE: Turkey goes to polls in referendum on expanding president Erdogan’s powersREAD MORE: Turkey goes to polls in referendum on expanding president Erdogan’s powers
Polls closed at 4 pm (1300 GMT) in the east of the country and at 5 pm elsewhere. The atmosphere was largely calm, with the exception of a few incidents. In Diyarbakir Province, three people were killed outside a polling station, as two of the local clans clashed over political differences.
The turnout hasn’t been announced yet, but it’s expected to be high, with 55 million people eligible to take part in the vote. In Istanbul, it was reported that a crowd verbally attacked an opposition journalist for speaking out against the expansion of presidential powers.
DETAILS TO FOLLOW The “Yes” vote will potentially see the current parliamentary system in Turkey replaced by an executive presidency by 18 constitutional changes, representing the most drastic reform in the country’s governance since the modern republic’s foundation in early 1920s.
Among other things, the new powers would allow Erdogan to issue decrees, declare emergency rule, appoint ministers and state officials as well as dissolve the parliament. He could also potentially stay in power until 2029, while the prime minister’s position would be abolished.
The Turkish leader has been persistent in his claims that the parliamentary system prevents good governance in Turkey by pitting the president against the PM.
He argued that the changes to the constitution are paramount at the moment for him to restore order in the country after the failed coup attempt in summer, which Ankara blames on religious figure Fethullah Gulen, who is now in exile in the US.