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Turkey referendum: Campaign on Erdogan powers 'was unequal' Turkey referendum: Erdogan dismisses criticism by monitors
(about 1 hour later)
Turkey's referendum campaign was "unequal", with opponents suffering restrictions and state resources being misused, international monitors say. Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has criticised monitors who say the referendum campaign fell short of international standards.
Late changes in ballot counting marred the vote and removed a key safeguard, they added. "Know your place," he said, adding that he did not accept the comments.
Turkey has called the comments biased. In the referendum, voters gave sweeping new powers to President Erdogan. The observers said Mr Erdogan had been favoured by an "unequal" campaign. In the referendum, voters gave sweeping new powers to the president.
The narrow vote was ruled valid by Turkey's electoral body, despite claims of irregularities by the opposition.The narrow vote was ruled valid by Turkey's electoral body, despite claims of irregularities by the opposition.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's push for an executive presidency succeeded with 51.4% voting for it. Late changes in ballot counting marred the vote and removed a key safeguard, the monitors added.
Mr Erdogan's push for an executive presidency succeeded with 51.4% voting for it.
Monitors: 'Unlevel playing field'Monitors: 'Unlevel playing field'
Despite saying that the voting day was "well administered", the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and the Council of Europe criticised the campaign, saying:Despite saying that the voting day was "well administered", the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and the Council of Europe criticised the campaign, saying:
They also criticised a late change by electoral officials that allowed voting papers without official stamps to be counted. They said this move "removed an important safeguard and were contested by the opposition. "In general, the referendum did not live up to Council of Europe standards," said Cezar Florin Preda, head of the Council of Europe delegation.
The council is a pan-European human rights body of which Turkey is a member.
The monitors also criticised a late change by electoral officials that allowed voting papers without official stamps to be counted. They said this move "removed an important safeguard and were contested by the opposition.
But the head of Turkey's electoral body, Sadi Guven, said the unstamped ballot papers had been produced by the High Electoral Board and were valid. He said a similar procedure had been used in past elections.But the head of Turkey's electoral body, Sadi Guven, said the unstamped ballot papers had been produced by the High Electoral Board and were valid. He said a similar procedure had been used in past elections.
Turkey divisions exacerbatedTurkey divisions exacerbated
The referendum in numbersThe referendum in numbers
Turkey reacts: Biased comments Turkey reacts
Turkey's foreign ministry said the remarks lacked objectivity and impartiality. "Saying the referendum fell below international standards is unacceptable," it said in a statement. In a rally in Ankara, Mr Erdogan said that Turkey did not "see, hear or acknowledge the politically motivated reports" of the monitors.
Earlier, President Erdogan said that his side had prevailed despite what he called the attacks of the "Crusaders in the West". Earlier, Turkey's foreign ministry said the remarks lacked impartiality. "Saying the referendum fell below international standards is unacceptable," it said in a statement.
"We will march to November 2019 faster and stronger," he said, referring to the next general election.
"But I should express again that we have much to do. We all are aware of this. Because it was a fight against everyone. The crusaders' ideology in the West and their servants here attacked us. But we didn't give up. We stood up as a nation."
The main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) has demanded a recount of 60% of the votes. Its deputy head said the result should be annulled altogether.The main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) has demanded a recount of 60% of the votes. Its deputy head said the result should be annulled altogether.
The pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) also challenged the vote.The pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) also challenged the vote.
Right after the result, Mr Erdogan said Turkey could now hold a referendum on bringing back the death penalty - a move that would end Turkey's EU negotiations.Right after the result, Mr Erdogan said Turkey could now hold a referendum on bringing back the death penalty - a move that would end Turkey's EU negotiations.
Profile: Erdogan's rise to powerProfile: Erdogan's rise to power
Turkey referendum: Key reactionsTurkey referendum: Key reactions
What now? By Mark Lowen, BBC News, AnkaraWhat now? By Mark Lowen, BBC News, Ankara
This was a damning verdict by the observer mission.This was a damning verdict by the observer mission.
From biased media coverage to a misuse of administrative resources by the president and government; and from restrictions on free speech to a decision to accept unstamped ballots, which "contradicted the law"; the election observers concluded that the referendum did not fulfil international standards. So what now?From biased media coverage to a misuse of administrative resources by the president and government; and from restrictions on free speech to a decision to accept unstamped ballots, which "contradicted the law"; the election observers concluded that the referendum did not fulfil international standards. So what now?
It's sure to embolden the opposition in its attempts to challenge the results. But that is an uphill struggle in a country where the state machinery is so heavily controlled by the president and his inner circle and where around 80% of the media is pro-government, pushing its interpretation of the facts.It's sure to embolden the opposition in its attempts to challenge the results. But that is an uphill struggle in a country where the state machinery is so heavily controlled by the president and his inner circle and where around 80% of the media is pro-government, pushing its interpretation of the facts.
What's more certain is that it'll shape the response to the referendum by European leaders and officials. They won't rush to congratulate a victory whose legitimacy has been placed in serious doubt. And as government supporters double down, convinced of their win, the chasm between Turkey and the west shows no sign of narrowing.What's more certain is that it'll shape the response to the referendum by European leaders and officials. They won't rush to congratulate a victory whose legitimacy has been placed in serious doubt. And as government supporters double down, convinced of their win, the chasm between Turkey and the west shows no sign of narrowing.
Erdogan's Turkey: The full storyErdogan's Turkey: The full story
Three largest cities say NoThree largest cities say No
Turnout for the divisive vote was high - 85%. Mr Erdogan won in his central Anatolian heartland and on the Black Sea coast.Turnout for the divisive vote was high - 85%. Mr Erdogan won in his central Anatolian heartland and on the Black Sea coast.
But he lost in the districts containing Turkey's three largest cities.But he lost in the districts containing Turkey's three largest cities.
In Istanbul, the largest city, and the capital, Ankara, the vote was very close. But in Izmir, the third-largest city, the margin was a much higher 68.8% No.In Istanbul, the largest city, and the capital, Ankara, the vote was very close. But in Izmir, the third-largest city, the margin was a much higher 68.8% No.
Along the Aegean and Southeast Anatolia coast - which is home to many Kurds - most districts also rejected the changes.Along the Aegean and Southeast Anatolia coast - which is home to many Kurds - most districts also rejected the changes.
The constitutional changesThe constitutional changes