Turkey opens campaign for constitutional referendum

Turkish election authority announced campaign for constitutional referendum open on Thursday, state-run Anadolu Agency reported.

Constitutional referendum will be held on April 16, which will bring drastic changes to the country's political system, including a shift to an executive presidential system from the current parliamentary system.

Political parties are officially allowed to campaign on the constitutional changes from Feb. 16 to April 15, Turkish Supreme Election Board declared.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will launch the Yes campaign with a series of meetings in southern Kahramanmaras province on Friday, the report said.

The Republican People's Party, the main opposition, will begin its No campaign on Monday in major cities, including Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir.

Turkish nationals overseas will be able to vote at polling stations in embassies and consulates as well as at Turkish ports and airports.

The constitutional change will bring a shift of regime change in Turkey with a strong partisan presidential system that will take over all authorities of the prime minister and cabinet.

On Dec. 30, 2016, a constitutional committee of deputies from the ruling Justice and Development Party and the opposition Nationalist Movement Party submitted a proposed bill to parliament for ratification.

The parliament passed the constitutional amendment on Jan. 21 in two rounds of voting for 18 articles. A total of 339 deputies voted in favor of the amendment, exceeding the 330-vote threshold to bring it to a referendum. Endit