Rumours Of Irregularities In Referendum, Vain Effort – Turkish PM

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said on Tuesday rumours of irregularities in a referendum over the weekend were a vain effort to cast doubt on the result.

“The people’s will has been reflected at the ballot box, and the debate is over.

“Everyone should respect the outcome, especially the main opposition,” Yildirim told his parliamentary group.

President Recep Erdogan claimed victory on Sunday night in Turkey’s historic referendum on a new constitution that will hand him sweeping powers.

The preliminary results according to the Supreme Election Council showed 51.4 per cent voting in favour with a national margin of 1.3 million votes for Erdogan’s campaign.

But Turkey’s main secularist opposition CHP said it will present its appeal for the annulment of Sunday’s referendum boosting the powers of Erdogan to the High Electoral Board (YSK) on Tuesday, the party said in a statement.

The People’s Republican Party (CHP) said Deputy Chairman Bulent Tezcan would present the appeal to the YSK at 2:30 p.m.

The CHP on Monday called for the annulment of the referendum and said it would take its challenge to the European Court of Human Rights if necessary, after a last-minute decision by the electoral board to allow unstamped ballots

Responding to the results, Erdogan said Turkey had made a historic decision in backing an executive presidential system, adding that the “Yes” camp had secured 25 million referendum votes, 1.3 million ahead of “No”.

Erdogan, speaking from his official residence in Istanbul on Sunday, said the referendum had closed the door on Turkey’s long history of military intervention in government.

“Turkey for the first time in its history has decided with the will of the parliament and its people on such an important change.

“For the first time in the history of the Republic, we are changing our ruling system through civil politics. That is why it is very significant,” he said.

Erdogan also flagged that he would take up the issue of reinstating the death penalty with Turkey’s political leaders and may seek a referendum.