Turks go to the polls on constitutional referendum today

Turkish citizens have begun voting in a landmark referendum on whether to adopt a presidential system of government with extended executive powers.


The constitutional changes proposed seek to transform Turkey's governance from a parliamentary system to an executive presidency, significantly handling more powers to the president.

According to several reports from Turkey, people started casting their ballots in several parts of Turkey as early as 7am (04:00 GMT). The polls is expected to close at 4pm (13:00 GMT) in the east 

A "Yes" vote in the referendum will give the president new powers to assign ministers, high-level state officials and vice-presidents, as well as half the members in the country's highest judicial body. It will also allow the president to dissolve parliament, and issue executive decrees and state of emergencies.

The proposed changes are backed by Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) founded by him, and the leadership of the far-right Nationalist Action Party (MHP), whose parliamentary support was vital to take the amendments to a public vote.

Although the proposed changes has been criticized by the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), the pro-Kurdish People's Democracy Party (HDP) and other critics who argued that the amendments will give too much power to one individual, undermining the separation of powers in the government.

A "Yes" vote could also see Erdogan remain in office until 2029.

About 55 million Turks are eligible to vote across 167,000 polling stations, with the results expected to be announced late on Sunday evening.

The Turkish presidency has traditionally been a largely neutral and ceremonial role, without many political responsibilities, as specified under the current constitution. 

Erdogan has however effectively transformed the office into a more politically active one after he became Turkey's first president to be elected by popular vote in 2014 - in line with a set of prior constitutional changes passed in a similar referendum in 2010.