Crimeans overwhelmingly vote for joining Russia
Iran Press TV
Sun Mar 16, 2014 10:22PM GMT
Crimean population has overwhelmingly voted to break away from Ukraine and join the Russian Federation with a turnout of more than 80 percent.
The Election Commission in Crimea announced late on Sunday that 93 percent of participants voted for joining Russia in a referendum that created controversy in Europe and beyond.
According to authorities, some 40 percent of Crimea's ethnic Tatar population also took part in the referendum and the voting process went on smoothly amid tight security.
The United States and the European Union have rejected the referendum, which they claim is against Ukraine's constitution and international law.
However, Valeriy Ryazanski, head of Russian upper house of parliament's observers in Crimea said the results were successful and legitimate and could be considered confirmed.
In the referendum, voters were asked whether Crimea should break away from Ukraine and become part of Russia, or opt for greater autonomy.
The head of the election commission in Crimea, Mikhail Malyshev, said voting proceeded without incident.
'[The electoral] commission has not received any complaints -- neither regional commissions nor the central one -- regarding the procedure of the referendum,' Malyshev said. 'Momentarily, commissions at individual polling stations have started ballot count. I want to inform you all that the Crimean referendum is considered valid.'
According to reports, people in Sevastopol have begun celebrating and a festive mood is already up in the air in Simferopol, the capital city of Crimea.
Meanwhile, pro-Moscow demonstrators rallied in eastern and southern Ukrainian cities as the voters in Crimea cast ballots.
In Donetsk, some 5,000 protesters marched through the city, chanting 'Donetsk, Crimea, Russia,' and calling for their own referendum on secession from Ukraine.
MOL/MAM/AS
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