Turkey: Erdogan calls on Turks to fulfil Ataturk's vision with referendum vote

“This referendum is a desire for change, the transformation of the new institution,” Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said after casting his vote in the country’s constitutional referendum in Istanbul’s Uskudar, Sunday.
“I believe that with this decision our nation will give way to a bigger progress. It is going to be jumping step,” Erdogan said, and added that “We have to make an extraordinary choice to meet the level of modern civilisation envisaged by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk and go beyond.”
If the ‘Yes’ votes win, the new draft constitution, approved by the Turkish parliament last January, would introduce a package of constitutional amendments paving the way for a presidential system of government.
Turkey's main opposition parties, the Republican People's Party (CHP) and the pro-Kurdish People's Democratic Party (HDP), are opposed to the reforms, arguing that they would significantly increase Erdogan's power. If voted through, Erdogan could potentially stay in power until 2029.
Polling for the referendum in the Turkish diaspora lasted until April 9. Some 55 million Turks are eligible to vote at over 167,000 polling stations domestically. The results of the referendum are set to be announced on Sunday evening.