Erdogan: 'I believe in people’s sense of democracy'

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan cast his vote in the constitutional referendum in Sunday and said he believed in the people’s sense of democracy.

Erdogan voted alongside his wife Emine and close family members, including his grandchildren, in Istanbul.

“This April 16 referendum is not an ordinary voting [process],” he said after casting his ballot, adding that he would follow the outcome from Istanbul.

“We have had many parliamentary elections in our history as a republic. In the meantime, we have also had referendums.

“However, this referendum is a decision on a new administrative system, a change and a transformation in the Republic of Turkey. I hope our people will make a decision to pave the way for a quick development… We need to grow quicker and walk faster.”

The electorate is voting Yes or No to an 18-article proposal that could see Turkey switch from a parliamentary to a presidential system.

The ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) have backed the changes while the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) and the Democratic Peoples’ Party (HDP) have campaigned against it.

Erdogan added: “I believe our people will walk towards the future by making their expected decisions and by casting their votes inside [Turkey] and overseas. I believe in our people’s common sense of democracy and that they will walk towards the future though this common sense.”

CHP Chairman Kemal Kilicdaroglu stressed the importance of the referendum vote.

“We are voting for Turkey’s destiny today,” he told reporters in Ankara after voting.