The votes in the Ukrainian territories of Lugansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhia, partially controlled by Russian forces, on their incorporation into Russia began on September 23 amid strong security measures, local pro-Russian authorities reported.
All the members of the electoral commissions, more than 5,000 people, began their work
The voting process of these referendums, to which Ukraine and the international community deny any legitimacy, will last until the next day 27.
“All the members of the electoral commissions, more than 5,000 people, began their work,” Galina Katiuschenko, head of the electoral commission installed in the Zaporizhia region, told the Interfax agency.
He explained that during the first four days citizens can vote at their homes and in places specially enabled for it.and that only for the last day of voting will the usual polling stations be open.
This same procedure will be used in all the territories where the consultations are held.
“Today at 08:00 Moscow time, the electoral commissions began their work throughout the territory of the Lugansk People’s Republic,” said a statement from the Central Election Commission (CEC) of that self-proclaimed entity recognized by Russia as an independent state.
(Read on: What does Putin’s nuclear threat imply amid calls for peace at the UN?).
For security measures, the pro-Russian authorities explained, citizens can vote at home.
The president of the Central Electoral Commission of Russia, Ela Pamfilova, assured this Thursday that she will do everything necessary so that the inhabitants of the “liberated territories” that are in Russia can participate in the consultations.
Russia has backed the referendums, although its army controls just over half of the Donetsk and Zaporizhia regions, and practically all of Lugansk and Kherson.
Ukraine has accused Russian security forces of manipulating the electoral roll in the occupied territories and of persecuting and kidnapping those citizens loyal to kyiv.
Various analysts agree that the Kremlin will accelerate the process of recognizing Donbas and the occupied territories of southern Ukraine as part of the Russian Federation, as it did in 2014 with the illegal annexation of Crimea.
The referendums were condemned by the UN Secretary General, António Guterres, who recalled that any annexation of territory by force is a violation of international law.
During his speech before the UN General Assembly, US President Joe Biden called the referendums “false” and accused Russia of wanting to “end Ukraine’s right to exist as a State”.“.
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EFE
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