338 Votes in Favor of Negotiating Constitution Amendment

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The voting began yesterday (January 9) on initiating the negotiations of the articles of the constitutional amendment draft presented to the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM). The results of the voting were announced at 1.15 a.m.

338 voted in favor of initiating the negotiations on the articles of the draft and 134 deputies voted against. There were five blank and two abstention votes. One vote was considered invalid.

The Justice and Development Party (AKP) and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) have 344 votes in total which means that there were 6 counter votes in AKP-MHP group which is in favor of the pro-presidential system.

 Stating that some of its deputies are imprisoned which "seize voting right of their deputies", Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) has chosen to boycott the voting.

Republican People's Party (CHP) Eskişehir deputy Gaye Usluer broadcasting live from the Parliament reported that AKP deputies refused to vote behind the folding screen, had openly used their votes and thus disobeyed the orders of the secret ballot. The footage also shows Minister of Health Recep Akdağ coming at the deputies of the opposition saying "What do you care" upon being warned about using his vote openly.

AKP Erzurum Deputy Orhan Deligöz posed for the cameras while demonstrating his vote.

Upon complaint of CHP deputies about AKP deputies using their votes openly, Parliamentary Deputy Speaker Ahmet Aydın gave the word to AKP Group Deputy Chairperson Mustafa Elitaş.

Elitaş in his explanation argued that the deputies of the opposition had violated the confidentiality of the voting by broadcasting live from the Parliament.

Parliamentary Deputy Speaker Aydın took no action about CHP's complaint and began reading out the articles. Following the short break, the session was paused until next day. (HK/DG)