Ankara 17 Apr (ANA) - The Yes vote in the referendum that grants sweeping new powers to the president of Turkey is valid, the head of the electoral body says. Sadi Guven was speaking after the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) cited irregularities, including the use of unstamped ballot papers. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's push for an executive presidency succeeded with 51.4% voting for it. The win was met with both celebrations and protests across Turkey. Deputy Prime Minister Nurettin Canikli said legal changes to introduce the new system could be completed within a year. New presidential and parliamentary elections are due on 3 November 2019.

Turnout was said to be as high as 85%. The 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. But Mr 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.(ANA) 

FA/ANA/17 April 2017-----