Simferopol, March 12 (Navigator, Astra Yazyka) – Members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces who did not defect to Crimea will be able to take part in voting in the all-Crimean referendum. Turnout at polling stations promises to be above 80%.
As a Navigator correspondent reports, First Deputy Prime Minister of Crimea Rustam Temirgaliev announced this at a press conference in Simferopol.
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According to him, 82% of Crimeans support Crimea’s entry into the Russian Federation.
“We are convinced that the turnout for the referendum will also exceed 80%. The activity of Crimeans today is quite high,” Temirgaliev assured.
According to him, the authorities’ task is to ensure an objective voting process at polling stations, which will be open from 8 a.m. to 22 p.m.
“27 territorial commissions throughout Crimea have already begun their work. Today they are starting to form 1204 precinct commissions, which will begin working tomorrow,” the First Deputy Prime Minister said and added that by the end of today, all territorial commissions will receive ballot papers.
The decision of the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine to completely block all databases in Crimea, including the voter register, does not disrupt the process of preparation for the referendum. The last elections in Crimea were held in October 2012 and according to these lists, citizens will receive an invitation to come to their polling station on March 16.
Also, according to Temirgaliev, Ukrainian military personnel can take part in the voting.
“Any citizens of Ukraine on the territory of Crimea have the right to come and vote, including military personnel of the Ukrainian armed forces,” Temirgaliev assured.
He emphasized that after Crimea joins the Russian Federation, all Ukrainian military personnel will have the opportunity to freely leave the territory of the peninsula without weapons.