ANKARA
More than 55 million Turkish citizens began voting across the country on Sunday in a historic referendum proposing key constitutional changes, including giving wide-ranging executive powers to the president, report Anadolu.
Citizens are casting their ballots at 167,000 polling stations nationwide. Over 1 million of them are first-time voters who recently turned 18.
Inmates — except for the criminals who are convicted for intentional crime — are also allowed to vote at 463 polling stations located inside state prisons. Prisoners, who are jailed and pending trial, and who are convicted for negligent crime, can vote in the referendum.
Although the Supreme Election Board has not publicly announced the exact number, according to a story in the Turkish national newspaper, Milliyet, there are currently 78,894 prisoners who were convicted and would be able to vote — 127 percent more than in the Nov. 1 elections.
Sunday’s ballots have two sides with two different colors, and voters will indicate their choice by voting either Yes on the white side of the paper or No on the brown side. Voters will impress a seal on the side they have chosen.
Voters will then place the ballot inside a yellow envelope that has the symbol of the Turkish Republic’s Supreme Election Board on it and cast their ballots.
Mr Erdogan is seeking to replace Turkey’s parliamentary system with an executive presidency.
Supporters say the move would streamline and modernise the country, but opponents fear it could lead to greater authoritarianism. A “yes” vote could also see Mr Erdogan remain in office until 2029. Some 55 million people are eligible to vote across 167,000 polling stations, with the results expected to be announced late today.
Mr Erdogan said the changes are needed to address the security challenges faced by Turkey, and to avoid the fragile coalition governments of the past.