Turkish lawmakers file papers against election body

By Fatih Cakmak

ANKARA (AA) - A legal complaint was filed on Wednesday against Turkey’s Supreme Election Board (YSK) over the counting of unsealed ballot papers in Sunday’s referendum, an opposition lawmaker has confirmed.

A group of opposition Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) lawmakers submitted legal papers to Ankara’s chief public prosecutor against YSK head Sadi Guven and members of the body.

Speaking to journalists outside the courthouse, HDP group deputy chairman Ahmet Yildirim criticized the election body’s decision on Sunday to allow unsealed ballot papers.

“This is a violation of the rule which considers unsealed ballot papers to be invalid. Members of the Supreme Election Board failed to do their duty,” he said.

On Sunday, a majority of Turkish voters cast their ballots in favor of 18 constitutional amendments that will, among other things, see Turkey switch from a parliamentary to a presidential system of governance.

According to unofficial results, the Yes campaign won with 51.41 percent, while the No votes stood at 48.59 percent. Voter turnout was 85.46 percent.

However, the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) has challenged the result.

On Tuesday, CHP leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu slammed the YSK’s decision to count unsealed ballots in the referendum.

Kilicdaroglu said he respected the nation's will but the decision to allow unsealed ballots had overshadowed the result.

"The rule of a match cannot be changed while the match is being played, this is a universal rule," he said.

Earlier on Wednesday, the YSK’s Sadi Guven told journalists in Ankara the board would consider objections during the day.