Crimean first vice-premier hails Donetsk, Luhansk referenda outcomes
SIMFEROPOL. May 12 (Interfax) - The Donetsk and Luhansk regions have held referenda on their status in spite of Kyiv's resistance. The Donetsk referendum outcomes demonstrate the choice made by people, Crimean first deputy prime minister Rustam Temirgaliev said.
"People in the Donetsk and Luhansk have chosen independence although the self-proclaimed Kyiv "authorities" tried to thwart the referendum. Some 89% voted "for" in the Donetsk region alone! We are now expecting self-determination of the Odesa and Kharkiv regions," Temirgaliev wrote on Facebook on Monday.
The referenda on the status of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions were held on May 11. In the words of head of the Donetsk People's Republic Central Elections Commission Roman Lyagin, state independence of the Donetsk region was chosen by 89.07% of voters, 10.19% were against, and 0.74% of ballots were invalid. The turnout stood at 74.87%. Luhansk will announce the official referendum results at a rally on Monday.