ANKARA (Dispatches) – Turkey's minister for European Union affairs has rejected violation accusations raised against the national electoral board that supervised a plebiscite on changes in the constitution, describing the move as "politically motivated”.
Turkey's bar association as well as an international monitor criticized a last-minute decision by the High Electoral Board (YSK) to accept unstamped ballots in Sunday's narrow referendum, which gives President Recep Tayyip Erdogan extensive executive powers. They said the decision is in violation of electoral laws.
However, Turkish government officials have rejected the violation claim.
"Politically motivated comments against the YSK's decision to accept unstamped ballots are wrong," Omer Celik told reporters in the capital Ankara on Tuesday.
Celik defended the YSK decision, claiming Turkey had a strong legal framework and transparent process for elections.
On Monday, President Erdogan made similar comments. He told a crowd of his supporters that his critics should "know their place", adding that Ankara did not "see, hear or acknowledge" any irregularities in the historic referendum.
Meanwhile, the country’s main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) has called for the annulment of the results of the referendum.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has congratulated his Turkish counterpart, Erdogan, over his victory in a referendum to boost the Turkish presidency.
"Vladimir Putin congratulated Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the successful outcome of a referendum on constitutional changes in Turkey," said a statement released by the Kremlin on Tuesday.
The two presidents also stressed the importance of normalizing ties which have somewhat deteriorated following an incident in which Turkish fighter planes downed a Russia jet over the Syrian border in 2015.
They also emphasized the importance of stabilizing the ceasefire in Syria which was brokered by both countries plus Iran.