International election observers condemn Turkey referendum

International observers have condemned the outcome of Turkey's referendum, while opposition groups are calling for the result to be cancelled.

State-run media agency Anadolu reported last night that the Yes campaign had won 51.41 per cent of the vote on a turnout exceeding 80 per cent.

The vote gives President Recep Tayyip Erdogan sweeping new powers, including the ability to appoint ministers and judges. It will also allow him to remain in office until 2029 and reintroduces the death penalty.

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However, Turkey's main opposition party CHP said the result should be annulled, alleging voter fraud.

Speaking a few hours after the polls closed, Bulent Tezcan, deputy chairman of the CHP, complained that last-minute changes meant ballots did not have to be officially stamped to be accepted, leaving them open to tampering.

Several international election monitors have also criticised the referendum.

Cezar Florin Preda, head of a delegation from the Council of Europe, said it "did not live up to ... standards" because of an inadequate legal framework, a "skewed pre-vote campaign" in favour of Yes and intimidation of the opposition.

The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe voiced similar concerns, saying the vote "took place on an unlevel playing field and the two sides of the campaign did not have equal opportunities".

Critics had suffered restrictions and state resources had been misused to unfairly push for a yes vote, it said.

This is "a damning verdict", says the BBC's Mark Lowen, and "is sure to embolden the opposition in its attempts to challenge the results".

Turkey's opposition plan to challenge the legality of the referendum at the European Court of Human Rights.

But at home, Erdogan's opponents face an uphill struggle because the state machinery is so heavily controlled by the president.

Erdogan rejected criticism, warning foreign election observers to "know their place".

"There are those who are belittling the result. They shouldn't try, it will be in vain. It's too late now," he said.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel told Erdogan he should have a "respectful dialogue" with the other parties following the narrow result, a tone was echoed by outgoing French President Francois Hollande.

As foreign leaders take an increasingly hard line in the face of mounting evidence of election fraud, and government supporters consolidate on their win, the chasm between Turkey and the west will continue to widen, says the BBC.