Survey: 57 pct support 'yes' for constitutional reform


As Turkey heads toward the referendum for constitutional reform, which includes a governmental system change, on April 16, the latest survey conducted by the Ankara-based Objective Research Center (ORC) reveals that 57.2 percent of the participants are likely to vote "yes" to the amendment package, while the indecisive voters are systematically distributed. The survey conducted in March indicated that the vast majority of the Turkish nation is in favor of the constitutional, reform, whereas 42 percent of the participants, including indecisive voters, are expected to say "no" to the changes.According the ORC survey, 51.6 percent of the participants are expected to vote "yes" to the changes, while 38.7 percent are likely to vote "no," excluding indecisive voters. In addition, the decisive voters are 9.7 percent, according to the survey.In light of the survey, those who support "no" are not well informed about the context of the constitutional amendment package, which is 54 percent of "no" voters.Additionally, when participants were asked if they would support the reintroduction of the death penalty for coup attempts, terrorism and rape, more than 77 percent of respondents were in favor. More than 95 percent of Justice and Development Party (AK Party) and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) supporters think that the necessary changes should be carried out by the government for the death penalty for specific crimes. On the other hand, 60 percent of Republican People's Party (CHP) voters support the death penalty, while pro-PKK Peoples' Democratic Party voters are opposed to the idea of the death penalty with 90 percent giving "no" votes.