Turkish PM says rumours of foul play an effort to undermine referendum result

ANKARA: Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said on Tuesday rumours of irregularities in a referendum over the weekend were a vain effort to cast doubt on the result, after the main opposition party vowed to apply for the vote to be annulled.

"The people's will has been reflected at the ballot box, and the debate is over," Yildirim told his parliamentary group. "Everyone should respect the outcome, especially the main opposition"



Earlier on Monday, the Turkish cabinet agreed to extend for another three months the state of emergency imposed after last July’s failed coup against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

“The recommendation was considered and the Council of Ministers signed to extend the state of emergency for another three months from Wednesday,” Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus told reporters in Ankara.



The emergency was due to end on April 19. Its extension follows the approval by Turkish voters of constitutional changes boosting Erdogan’s powers on Sunday.