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4 detained in İzmir for demonstrating in protest of YSK’s unstamped ballot decision

Supporters of the "No" gesture and chant slogans as they hold placards reading "No" during a march at the Kadikoy district in Istanbul on April 17, 2017 to protest following the results in a nationwide referendum that will determine Turkey's future destiny. Turkey's opposition on April 17, 2017 called for the annulment of a referendum giving President Recep Tayyip Erdogan sweeping new powers, as international monitors voiced concern over the campaign and vote count. / AFP PHOTO / BULENT KILIC

Turkish police have detained four people in the western province of İzmir who took part in demonstrations in protest of a decision by Turkey’s Supreme Election Board (YSK) to consider as valid unstamped ballots cast in a referendum last Sunday.

The detentions took place following police raids on several locations on Friday morning.

A constitutional reform package introducing an executive presidency in Turkey was approved by 51.4 percent of the electorate in Sunday’s referendum.

During the voting, some citizens cast their votes in unstamped ballots, while others used envelopes and ballots they brought with them, which prompted some opposition parties and naysayers to raise suspicions about the validity of the votes.

In a statement on Monday morning, the YSK said the ballot papers and envelopes brought by some citizens from outside were produced by the YSK and were authentic.

Demonstrations have been held across Turkey to protest the YSK decision to consider the unstamped ballots valid.

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