Ankara - Arab Today
The voting papers and envelopes that were claimed to be void and disputed in the Turkish referendum were made by the Supreme Election Board (YSK) and are real and legitimate, YSK chairman Sadi Guven said according to Anadolu Agency.
Addressing a news conference in Ankara, Guven defended the decision to allow votes that did not bear official seals to be counted alongside checked ballots. YSK had announced during the counting process that unverified votes, which had not been verified as genuine by election officials, would be allowed.
The main opposition Republican Peoples Party (CHP) protested the procedure, saying that it would contest the count and complain about other violations during the vote. "We respect the nation's will but the decision on unsealed ballots overshadowed it," CHP leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu said.
The referendum passed with 51.41 percent voting in favor, prompting the adoption of an 18-article bill that includes provisions for an executive presidency. The turnout was 85.46 percent. The final results would be released within 12 days.
Source: QNA