Ballots and envelopes are valid: Supreme Electoral Board head

ANKARA

Ballots and envelopes provided to voters for the April 16 constitutional referendum were produced by the High Electoral Board (YSK) and are valid, the head of the board claimed on April 17.

Speaking to reporters in Ankara, YSK Chairman Sadi Güven said a last-minute decision by the board to allow unstamped ballots in the referendum was not unprecedented as the government had previously permitted such a move.

The “no” campaign has said the decision raised questions about the validity of the vote. Following the vote on April 16, Güven said the decision was taken before results were entered into the system, and that members of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and main opposition Republican People Party (CHP) were present at almost all polling stations and signed off on reports.