US President Donald Trump called his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday to congratulate him on winning the referendum boosting his powers, the White House said on Monday.
A defiant Erdogan, whose narrow victory exposed the nation's deep divisions, has said Sunday's vote ended all debate on the more powerful presidency he has long sought, and Turkey would ignore criticism of the referendum from European observers.
Turkey's Supreme Election Board (YSK) said Tuesday that the disputed unstamped ballots cast in Sunday's constitutional referendum would be considered legitimate and were not sufficient reason to invalidate "the citizens' right to vote".
US President Donald Trump called Erdogan to congratulate him on his victory, while European Union leaders gave more reserved responses.
This would allow President Erdogan to rejoin the governing AK Party he co-founded, or to lead it.
Returning in triumph to his presidential palace in Ankara, Erdogan addressed thousands of supporters gathered outside, telling monitors who criticised the poll, "Know your place", The Guardian reports.
Sena MP Ravindra Gaikwad engages in 'verbal spat' with cops
What should we do? He said the Centre and union finance minister is responsible for the situation, and he has right to protest. This happened with a few other ATMs, prompting the Sena MP to go out and stage a protest with his supporters outside an ATM.
Turkey's Prime Minister Binali Yildirim pictured in Ankara on June 14, 2016.
The European Commission on April 18 said alleged irregularities in the referendum vote must be investigated. "The United States continues to support Turkey's democratic development, to which commitment to the rule of law and a diverse and free media remain essential".
In its statement, the U.S. state department said: "We look to the government of Turkey to protect the fundamental rights and freedoms of all its citizens, regardless of their vote on April 16th, as guaranteed by the Turkish constitution and in accordance with Turkey's global commitments, such as under the Helsinki Charter".
The opposition has been particularly incensed by a last-minute move from the YSK to accept ballot documents in envelopes without an official stamp.
On Sunday evening, Erdogan suggested he would back moves to bring back capital punishment which had been abolished in 2004 as part of Turkey's bid to join the EU.
"Poland acknowledges the results of Turkey's referendum on 16 April 2017 and awaits their official confirmation", the ministry said in a statement. It is the third extension of the state of emergency, which was first imposed after last summer's failed coup.
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