Polls close in Turkey referendum on constitutional change

Turkish polls closed at 5 p.m. local time (1400 GMT) on Sunday for a referendum on constitutional change.

More than 55 million people are eligible to vote at 167,000 polling stations nationwide. Over one million are first-time voters who recently turned 18.

In Turkey's eastern provinces, the voting process ended one hour earlier than western provinces. The ballot counting started after the polls closed.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan alongside his wife Emine and his grandchildren voted in Istanbul, calling the referendum not an ordinary vote.

"This referendum is not an ordinary voting. We had plenty of elections aimed at the parliamentary system in the history of the Republic. We had some referendums, but this one is a decision on a new administrative system, a change and a transformation in the Republic of Turkey," Erdogan told journalists after casting his ballot, as quoted by Hurriyet daily.

"I believe that our people will decide for a faster development and even a leap forward. I believe that my people will walk toward the future by making their decision," he underscored.

The president said it seems like there would be a serious participation in the referendum.

Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the chairman of main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), stressed the importance of the referendum vote. "We are voting for Turkey's destiny today," he said in Ankara after voting.

The "Yes" campaign is backed by the ruling Justice and Development Party and the opposition Nationalist Movement Party, whereas the CHP is in favor of "No." Endit