More than 180 polling stations will be set up in Russia for voting in the Lugansk People’s Republic referendum over joining the Russian Federation, LPR Central Election Commission chairwoman Yelena Kravchenko told reporters.
“One hundred and eighty-one polling stations will be set up in Russia to give the opportunity to our citizens to take part in the referendum,” Kravchenko said.
Earlier, the election commission of Russia’s Rostov region said that it would provide the opportunity for LPR residents to vote at local polling stations.
On September 20, the Lugansk People’s Republic parliament passed the law on the referendum over joining the Russian Federation as a constituent RF region. Direct vote will be held on September 23-27.
The Republic’s Public Chamber urged immediate referendum on joining Russia in an appeal to LPR Head Leonid Pasechnik on September 19.
On February 21, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin recognized the sovereignty of the Lugansk and Donetsk People’s Republics. He asked the Federal Assembly to support this decision and then ratify a friendship and mutual assistance treaty with the Donbass Republics. On the same day, Putin and LPR Head Leonid Pasechnik signed a friendship, cooperation and mutual assistance treaty between Russia and the Lugansk People’s Republic.
Eight years ago, on May 11, 2014, the Lugansk and Donetsk People’s Republics and several areas controlled by Kiev forces, held a referendum on LPR and DPR self-determination. LPR and DPR independence was supported by 96.2 percent and 89.7 percent of voters, respectively. The Republics proclaimed their state sovereignty on May 12, 2014.
The Ukrainian government launched the so-called anti-terrorist operation against Donbass in April 2014. The peace talks that began soon thereafter failed to reach tangible results due to Kiev’s position to settle the conflict by force.*i*ie
