Electoral board head rejects fraud claims

Gabriel said the European Union would first wait for the opinion of worldwide observers of Turkey's referendum, adding that "We will be able to assist Turkey in its economic development only if it remains a democracy" and not if it reintroduces the death penalty.

Turks on Sunday voted by a narrow 51.4 per cent margin to change their constitution and grant President Tayyip Erdogan sweeping new powers.

Erdogan survived a coup attempt previous year and responded with a crackdown, jailing 47,000 people and sacking or suspending more than 120,000 from government jobs such as schoolteachers, soldiers, police, judges or other professionals.

He was speaking in Istanbul as the count neared completion.

A supporter of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan holds a placard that reads "don't worry, the world can be our enemy " in Ankara, Turkey, late Sunday, April 16, 2017.

The constitutional changes were backed by Erdogan, the AK Party founded by him, and the leadership of the Nationalist Action Party (MHP), whose parliamentary support was vital to take the amendments to a public vote.

There were scattered protests against the result, but these were more sporadic. Opposition parties announced they would challenge the count.

Critics say there's also a loophole in the new laws that could allow Erdogan to run for a third term.

He also took a dig at worldwide critics.

"We want other countries and organizations to show respect to the decision of our people".

The country's pro-Kurdish party said it may take the case to the European Court of Human Rights if the electoral board does not reverse its decision and nullify the ballots lacking the official stamps.

Bulent Tezcan, deputy chairman of the party known by its Turkish acronym CHP, cited irregularities in the conduct of the vote.

Incomparable Election Board boss Sadi Guven affirmed that the "Yes" camp had developed triumphant, however the restriction has pledged to challenge the result.

The party has said it will contest the result of the referendum. "Turkey has been ruled in the past by one man", he said, referring to modern Turkey's founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.

Initial reaction from overseas was cautious.

"We found that it fell short of full adherence" to worldwide standards, said Tana de Zulueta, head of the OSCE's referendum observation mission. Supporters of the "no" vote have complained of intimidation, including beatings, detentions and threats. "I will feel more secure economically", says 26-year-old lawyer Mustafa Baskara. "This suggests that Erdogan will become more robust and more challenging to deal with". The ballots themselves did not include the referendum question - it was assumed to be understood.

President Erdogan narrowly won the historic referendum that will replace the parliamentary system with an all-powerful presidential system. On Sunday night, in neighborhoods throughout Istanbul, protesters banged on pots and pans to register their disgust with the vote.

The vote came as Turkey has been buffeted by problems.

The country has been operating under a state of emergency after a failed coup in July.

A widespread government crackdown has targeted Gulen followers and other government opponents, branding them terrorists. The AKP had all the tools and financial advantages of the government, plus power over the media.

Several groups fighting in Syria tweeted their congratulations to Turkey, and according to Anadolu, Azerbaijani, Palestinian, Qatari, Pakistani, Hungarian, Macedonian, Saudi, Sudanese and Kenyan leaders passed along congratulatory messages to Turkey's Foreign Ministry.