The head of Turkey’s Supreme Election Board (YSK) has denied any impropriety in the referendum that appears to have granted sweeping new powers to the country’s president Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
“Voting papers and envelopes that were claimed to be void and disputed since the evening are YSK-made, real, legitimate, non-fake ballots,” YSK chairman Sadi Cuven said during a news conference in Ankara on Monday, according to the state-run Anadolu news agency.
The main opposition party said it would call for a recount after the poll resulted in a 51.41 percent victory for the Yes campaign, with Turkey’s three largest cities – Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir – all voting No.
The final results will be released within 12 days, Cuven added.
The referendum has sparked heated debate. Some analysts claim it could cause further divisions in Turkish society.
