Live

In Pictures

Gallery

Turkish voters gear up for key referendum

Campaigning intensifies in the run-up to Sunday’s referendum, with both sides trying to convince voters to back them.

The proposed constitutional amendments seek to transform Turkey's political system into an executive presidential one. [Umut Uras/Al Jazeera]
The proposed constitutional amendments seek to transform Turkey's political system into an executive presidential one. [Umut Uras/Al Jazeera]
By 
Umut Uras and 
Cagan Orhon
12 Apr 2017

Istanbul, Turkey – Turkish citizens will vote on Sunday in a referendum that might deeply change how Turkey is governed by significantly expanding the powers of the country’s presidential office.

The proposed constitutional changes are backed by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) he founded and the far-right Nationalist Action Party (MHP).

They are opposed by the centre-left Republican People’s Party (CHP) and the pro-Kurdish People’s Democracy Party (HDP).

Both “Yes” and “No” campaigns claim that they lead the polls and are closer to victory.

For months now, they have been working to convince voters to side with them in upcoming key vote.

Follow Umut Uras on Twitter: @Um_Uras

'Yes' voters say they will have a 'more stable' and 'secure' Turkey under a new system if the amendments are adopted. [Cagan Orhon/Al Jazeera]
'Yes' voters say they will have a 'more stable' and 'secure' Turkey under a new system if the amendments are adopted. [Cagan Orhon/Al Jazeera]
Advertisement
Both Erdogan and the ruling AK Party have carried out a massive campaign for the constitutional changes to be approved. [Cagan Orhon/Al Jazeera]
Both Erdogan and the ruling AK Party have carried out a massive campaign for the constitutional changes to be approved. [Cagan Orhon/Al Jazeera]
Backers of the amendments argue that the new system will prevent a return to the fragile parliamentary coalitions of the 1990s. [Umut Uras/Al Jazeera]
Backers of the amendments argue that the new system will prevent a return to the fragile parliamentary coalitions of the 1990s. [Umut Uras/Al Jazeera]
The 'No' campaign, mainly run by CHP, says changes will lead to 'one-man rule' and undermine democratic institutions. [Umut Uras/Al Jazeera]
The 'No' campaign, mainly run by CHP, says changes will lead to 'one-man rule' and undermine democratic institutions. [Umut Uras/Al Jazeera]
Many of the 'No' voters worry about their future under the proposed new system, which they think will bring arbitrary governance and cancel the separation of powers. [Umut Uras /Al Jazeera]
Many of the 'No' voters worry about their future under the proposed new system, which they think will bring arbitrary governance and cancel the separation of powers. [Umut Uras /Al Jazeera]
The revival of the Ottoman Empire is a common theme among some 'Yes' voters, showing in their flags and outfits at rallies. [Cagan Orhon/Al Jazeera]
The revival of the Ottoman Empire is a common theme among some 'Yes' voters, showing in their flags and outfits at rallies. [Cagan Orhon/Al Jazeera]
Advertisement
Among the backers of the AK Party and Erdogan, there is a strong and growing negative sentiment against European countries. [Cagan Orhon/Al Jazeera]
Among the backers of the AK Party and Erdogan, there is a strong and growing negative sentiment against European countries. [Cagan Orhon/Al Jazeera]
The 'Yes' camp has been accused by the opposition of using state funds and facilities for their campaigning activities. [Cagan Orhon/Al Jazeera]
The 'Yes' camp has been accused by the opposition of using state funds and facilities for their campaigning activities. [Cagan Orhon/Al Jazeera]
Voters who oppose the changes play anthems and campaign songs across Istanbul that refer to Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founding father of secular Turkey. [Umut Uras/Al Jazeera]
Voters who oppose the changes play anthems and campaign songs across Istanbul that refer to Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founding father of secular Turkey. [Umut Uras/Al Jazeera]
Flags, banners and scarves with Erdogan pictures sold ahead of a 'Yes' rally in Izmir. [Cagan Orhon/Al Jazeera]
Flags, banners and scarves with Erdogan pictures sold ahead of a 'Yes' rally in Izmir. [Cagan Orhon/Al Jazeera]
HDP, which has been hit by mass arrests for alleged links to Kurdish fighters, is running a smaller 'No' campaign. [Umut Uras/Al Jazeera]
HDP, which has been hit by mass arrests for alleged links to Kurdish fighters, is running a smaller 'No' campaign. [Umut Uras/Al Jazeera]
The 'Yes' campaign displays old newspaper front pages about previous coalition governments, which it says are responsible for the political instabilities and financial crises of the past. [Umut Uras/Al Jazeera]
The 'Yes' campaign displays old newspaper front pages about previous coalition governments, which it says are responsible for the political instabilities and financial crises of the past. [Umut Uras/Al Jazeera]
Graffiti in central Istanbul referring to Mustafa Kemal Ataturk in apparent support for the 'No' vote in the referendum. [Umut Uras/Al Jazeera]
Graffiti in central Istanbul referring to Mustafa Kemal Ataturk in apparent support for the 'No' vote in the referendum. [Umut Uras/Al Jazeera]
A boat carrying a large Erdogan banner is seen in the western city of Izmir before a rally by the president. [Cagan Orhon /Al Jazeera]
A boat carrying a large Erdogan banner is seen in the western city of Izmir before a rally by the president. [Cagan Orhon /Al Jazeera]
More from Gallery

In Pictures: Global warming forces Bangladeshi tribals to migrate

"The water sources and forest where hill tribal people usually establish their settlements remain dry now even in the monsoon. We are forced to sell fruits gathered from the forest as agricultural cultivation is unavailable," said Macharu Marma, who lives in Lulain village. [Sulayman Hossain/Al Jazeera]

In Pictures: Capturing the start of Egypt’s revolution

Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of Cairo facing a massive police presence to demand the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak on January 25, 2011. [Mohammed Abed/AFP]

In Pictures: Cyclone Eloise displaces thousands in Mozambique

People inspect the damage caused by Tropical Cyclone Eloise in the city of Beira. [Andre Catueira/EPA]

In Pictures: Mass demonstrations engulf Russia

A protester holds a poster showing Russian President Vladimir Putin and reading 'Freedom for Navalny' during a protest in support of the Russian opposition leader in Moscow. [Maxim Shipenkov/EPA]
Most Read

Turkey, Saudi Arabia eye improved ties after Gulf crisis ends

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, right, shakes hands with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman prior to their meeting in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, July 23, 2017 [Presidency Press Service/Pool Photo via AP]

India, China troops in ‘minor face-off’ at disputed Sikkim border

Indian army soldiers seen at the India-China trade route at Nathu La, 55 km (34 miles) north of Gangtok, capital of India's northeastern state of Sikkim [File: Rupak De Chowdhuri/Reuters]

Israel extradites woman wanted for sex crimes to Australia

Malka Leifer, a former educator who is accused of sexually abusing former students, has been fighting extradition from Israel to Australia for six years [File: Mahmoud Illean/AP Photo]

What is Alexey Navalny’s endgame?

Law enforcement officers stand in front of participants during a rally in support of jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny in Saint Petersburg on January 23, 2021 [Reuters/Anton Vaganov]