国际英语新闻：Turkey's constitutional reforms pass referendum test

The changes will enable prosecutors and judges to appeal to courts if they are fired by the HSYK and increase the number of the board members. The package will also increase the number of justices at the Constitutional Court and give the parliament a bigger say in appointing some of them.

Kalin rejected fears that the reforms will increase AKP control of the judiciary, saying the changes to the Constitutional Court will give the parliament, not the government, power to appoint members to the court.

Opponents have slashed the proposals, fearing they would undermine the secular system. They argue the AKP, which they suspect of having an Islamist agenda, sees the judiciary as a stronghold for traditional secular elites hostile to the AKP and some of its reforms.

The AKP denies that charge and has accused the judiciary of blocking reforms and intervening in the parliament.

Opposition in the parliament including the Republican People's Party (CHP) and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) have campaigned for a "no" vote at the referendum, while the pro- Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) boycotts the vote.

MHP chairman Devlet Bahceli accused the AKP of using illegal and immoral methods including bribery, lies and threats in the referendum and called on Erdogan to hold an early election to submit the AKP to the judgement of the public.

"Despite all these, everybody should respect results of referendum. Following approval of the constitutional changes by the Turkish nation, a dark period full of risks and dangers has started for Turkey," Devlet Bahceli said in a written statement after initial counting results were released.