A clear majority of Turks have voted in favour of the future direct election of the country's president, according to reports. With around half of votes counted in a referendum on the issue held Sunday, up to 71 per cent of Turks cast their ballots in favour of direct presidential polls, news broadcaster CNN Turk reported. More than 42 million people had been eligible to vote on the direct election proposal backed by the governing Islamic conservative Justice and Development Party (AKP). Several opposition parties had prior to the referendum however criticized the plans or called on voters to boycott the process, according to DPA. A proposed change in the constitution would also reduce the presidential term of office from seven to five years.
