CHP head slams election board counting unsealed ballots

By Emin Avundukluoglu

ANKARA (AA) - The main opposition leader from the Republican People's Party (CHP) said late Sunday he respects the nation's will but a decision on unsealed ballots overshadowed the results of the historic referendum.

From party headquarter, Kemal Kilicdaroglu slammed Turkish Supreme Election Board's decision to count unsealed paper ballots.

"The rule of the match can not be changed while the match is being played, which is an universal rule," said Kilicdaroglu, as he claimed the electoral board illegitimately changed the rules after the end of voting.

"I sadly want to state that Supreme Election Board made this referendum questionable,” he said.

"This referendum revealed a truth -- at least 50 percent of the society says 'No' to it," said Kilicdaroglu. "Therefore, this constitutional amendment and the whole constitution it has formed have largely lost its significance as a document of social reconciliation."

Following Kilicdaroglu's remarks, electoral board head Said Guven announced that unsealed paper ballots are valid -- a unanimous decision made before voting results were transferred to system.

With all ballots counted the unofficial results of the referendum Sunday show the “Yes” campaign won with 51.41 percent of the vote while the “No” said received 48.59 percent.

The referendum asked voters to decide on an 18-article bill that included a switch from a parliamentary to a presidential system.