President Erdoğan discusses the referendum with 'no' campaigners during a surprise visit in Istanbul's Sarıyer https://t.co/SAW2OXo5G7 pic.twitter.com/2l8yWhoW4D
— DAILY SABAH (@DailySabah) March 28, 2017
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan paid a surprise visit to a "no" campaign tent on Tuesday in Istanbul's Sarıyer district.
The president, scheduled to fly to northern Turkey's Samsun province, was on his way to Atatürk Airport when he made a stop to greet the public that was waving at him.
During the stop, Erdoğan had a small chat with a woman and her two children before continuing on his route to the airport.
Afterward, he made another stop at Istanbul's Hacıosman neighborhood where he visited a tent setup in support of the "Yes" campaign and then to a nearby tent that was campaigning for "no" votes.
President Erdoğan greeted the "no" campaigners and had a conversation with them. The campaigners reportedly offered the president tea, which he declined saying that he must get going, but accepted a quick glass of water instead.
The president spent around 15 minutes at in the "no" tent before leaving for the airport.
In Turkey, 55.3 million eligible voters are expected to cast their ballots on April 16 to vote on a constitutional amendment referendum that may see Turkey shift to a presidential system.
The constitutional changes have been discussed ever since Erdoğan was elected president in August 2014. The 18-article bill was passed by Parliament in January, with 339 votes in favor of the bill, nine more than needed to take the proposal to a referendum.
The reforms would abolish the post of the prime minister and the president would also be allowed to keep his ties to a political party.
Other changes would see the minimum age for parliamentary candidates reduced to 18 while increasing the number of deputies to 600.