Opponents call for recount amid accusations of fixing in vote that could see Erdogan remain in power until 2029
VIOLENCE has swept the streets of Turkey after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan won a referendum on whether to grant himself sweeping new powers – which many fear he will use to become a 'dictator'.
The "yes" vote got 51.41 percent in Sunday's referendum, while the "no" vote got 48.59 percent, according state-run Anadolu Agency's results. Turkey's electoral board confirmed the victory.
One video reportedly shows an anti-Erdogan demonstrator being knocked to the ground and stomped by a mob of the Turkish leader's supporters.
Turkey's main opposition party vowed to challenge the results, saying they were skewed.
Critics also slammed a decision to accept ballot papers that don't have the official stamp.
But addressing crowds outside his Istanbul residence, Erdogan hailed the result as a ‘historic decision’ and promised another vote on the death penalty.
He also attacked those he said "belittled" the result, telling them their efforts would be "in vain".
In July 2016 factions within the armed forces launched a violent - and unsuccessful - coup attempt in Turkey to oust Erdogan.
It prompted a massive government crackdown on civil servants, the press and civil society.
Those accused of links to the Fethullah Gülen movement were the main target. More than 40,000 people were remanded in pre-trial detention during six months of emergency rule, according to Amnesty International.
There was evidence of torture of detainees in the wake of the coup attempt.
Nearly 90,000 civil servants were dismissed; hundreds of media outlets and non-governmental organisations were closed down and journalists, activists and MPs were detained.
He also told supporters chanting for the death penalty to be reinstated he would discuss the issue with other political leaders and suggested a fresh vote on the issue.
The vote approved 18 constitutional changes that will replace Turkey's parliamentary system of government with a presidential one.
The office of the prime minister will be abolished and the president empowered to issue decrees, declare states of emergency and appoint ministers and judges.
A limit of two five-year terms will also be set for presidents – meaning he could stay in power until 2029, after the changes come into effect in 2019.
Opponents claim the decision will effectively make Erdogan, who has been accused of repressing rights and freedoms, a dictator.
Supporters of the president gathered outside the AK Party headquarters in Istanbul to celebrate, sending fireworks into the night sky.
But elsewhere in the city, residents banged pots and pans from their windows in a traditional form of protest.
Prime Minister Binali Yildirim welcomed the results and extended a hand to the opposition.
He said: "We are all equal citizens of the Republic of Turkey. Both the ones who said 'no' and the ones who said 'yes' are one and are equally valuable.
"There are no losers of this referendum. Turkey won, the beloved people won."
He added: "A new page has opened in our democratic history with this vote. Be sure that we will use this result for our people's welfare and peace in the best way."
At one Istanbul polling station, eager voters lined up outside before it opened at 8am.
“No” voter Husnu Yahsi, 61, said: “I don't want to get on a bus with no brake system – a one-man system is like that.”
In another Istanbul neighbourhood, a "yes" voter expressed full support for Erdogan.
Mualla Sengul said: "Yes, yes, yes! Our leader is the gift of God to us.
"We will always support him. He's governing so well."
The referendum campaign was divisive and heavily one-sided, with the "yes" side dominating the airwaves and billboards across the country.
Supporters of the "no" vote have complained of intimidation, including beatings, detentions and threats.
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