1.
SV Former Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit voting (2 shots)
0.25

2.
SV National Security Council Member voting
0.33

3.
SV Kenan Evren voting (2 shots)
0.56

4.
SV People voting
1.08




Initials DF/PM





Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: The people of Turkey have voted overwhelmingly in favour of the new draft constitution put forward by the country's military rulers. Figures issued by the Anatolian News Agency in the early hours of November 8 showed that, with more than 17 of the 20 million votes counted, 90 per cent of the electorate had ratified the proposals by voting yes in the previous day's national referendum. In the months leading up to the poll, the new constitution had aroused vehement criticism from newspapers, academics, trade unionists and politicians - notably former Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit. The results mean that Turkey's military leader, General Kenan Evren, become president for seven years. The constitution gives wide executive powers to the president, and sets limits on political activity, personal liberties and trade unions. General Evren, who took over after a military coup in September 1980, had transferred to the National Security Council all function previously held by the Grand National Assembly. He has now pledged to give the country an elected government within 18 months.