00:00Italians head to the polls to decide whether to approve or reject constitutional changes affecting the judiciary.
00:09The two-day referendum, led by the Conservative Prime Minister Giorgio Malone,
00:14has sharpened political divisions and unified the centre-left opposition.
00:19After five hours of voting, turnout reached nearly 15 percent,
00:23the highest for a two-day referendum in 23 years, according to Italy's Interior Ministry.
00:30Malone says the reform would make the justice system more efficient and less politicised.
00:36But critics argue it could undermine judicial independence and increase political influence over courts.
00:43The most controversial proposal would replace elections for most members of the Superior Council of the Judiciary,
00:51the body that governs judges' careers with a lottery system.
00:55The vote is seen by many commentators as a test for Malone's government one year ahead of national elections.
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