Initial count points to govt win in Turkish reforms referendum

An initial count showed 61% of Turkish voters approving constitutional amendments in a referendum on Sunday, with 67% of ballot boxes counted, according to Turkish broadcaster NTV.

If the trend holds it will be a huge boost for Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan ahead of a general election in 2011. Earlier opinion polls had suggested up to 56% of Turks could approve the changes or that it might be too close to call. (Reuters)