Catalan referendum: Voting begins amid police crackdown
Catalonia’s independence referendum has begun in chaotic fashion, with police attempting to prevent the vote from taking place.
(bbc) — Catalonia‘s independence referendum has begun in chaotic fashion, with police attempting to prevent the vote from taking place.
The Spanish government has pledged to stop a poll that was declared illegal by the country’s constitutional court.
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Police officers are blocking potential voters from entering polling stations, and are also seizing ballot papers and boxes.
Nonetheless, Catalan government officials have predicted a big turnout.
The ballot papers contain just one question: “Do you want Catalonia to become an independent state in the form of a republic?” There are two boxes: Yes or No.
Ahead of the polls opening, the Catalan government said voters could use any polling station if their designated voting place was shut.