ADVERTISEMENT

Polling stations ready for contested vote

Authorities in Madrid have instructed police to ensure no votes are cast as they tackle one of the biggest political crises to hit Spain.

Authorities in Madrid have instructed police to ensure no votes are cast as they tackle one of the biggest political crises to hit Spain since democracy was restored in the 1970s following the death of longtime dictator Francisco Franco.

Police have for days been seizing electoral items such as ballot papers as they follow orders to stop Sunday's referendum -- which has deeply divided Catalonia -- from taking place, after courts ruled it unconstitutional.

Over the past few days, judges and prosecutors have also ordered the closure of websites linked to the vote and the detention of key members of the team organising the referendum.

ADVERTISEMENT

The electoral board set up to oversee the vote has dissolved itself to avoid costly fines, and on Wednesday a judge ordered police to prevent public buildings from being used as polling stations, raising doubts that the vote could take place.

But Catalan government spokesman Jordi Turull told reporters there would be "2,315 polling stations all over the region", and more than 7,200 people involved in holding the referendum.

At the end of the press briefing, Turull, Catalan Vice-President Oriol Junqueras and Raul Romeva, in charge of foreign relations for the Catalan executive, unveiled a plastic ballot box with a regional government stamp on it.

'Obey the law'

Polls show Catalonia's roughly 7.5 million residents are split on the issue of independence, but a large majority want to vote in a legitimate referendum to settle the matter.

ADVERTISEMENT

With firefighters and farmers vowing to protect polling stations, Catalonia's regional police force, the Mossos d'Esquadra, have warned of the risk of the "disruption of public order" if they try to prevent people from casting ballots.

In case they resist, Madrid has sent thousands of extra police officers from other forces to Catalonia -- which accounts for one fifth of Spain's economy -- to help suppress the referendum it deems illegal.

The government has hired three ferries, including one decorated with some "Looney Toons" characters which has been much mocked online, to house the officers in the ports of Barcelona and Tarragona.

Central government spokesman Mendez de Vigo said he was "completely certain" that the Mossos would "obey the law and the judge's orders" because they "are subject to the law like everyone else".

"I insist that there will be no referendum," he told a news conference following the weekly cabinet meeting.

ADVERTISEMENT

Junqueras told reporters that if "someone closes a polling station, there is an alternative for citizens to vote," without giving further details.

He urged people to vote "responsibly" and "not to yield to provocations of those who want to stop the vote."

'Call regional elections'

The crackdown against preparations for the referendum has sparked noisy street protests in Barcelona and other Catalan cities.

Germany urged its nationals in Catalonia to exercise caution ahead of the slated weekend independence referendum that has been banned by Madrid, saying an "escalation" was possible.

ADVERTISEMENT

Catalan President Carles Puigdemont has labelled the government's response anti-democratic.

Health Minister Dolors Montserrat told public radio that Puigdemont's only options on Monday will be to "quit and call regional elections and assume his responsibilities before the courts."

With its own language and customs, Catalonia already has significant powers over matters such as education and healthcare.

But Spain's economic worries, coupled with a resentment that the region pays more in taxes than it receives in investments and transfers from Madrid, have helped push the independence question to centre stage.

During the last regional elections in Catalonia in 2015, pro-separatist parties captured 47.6 percent of the vote, giving them a narrow majority of 72 seats in the 135-seat regional assembly.

ADVERTISEMENT

Opponents of independence are not campaigning to not "legitimize" the referendum and have postponed a pro-unity march initially planned for Saturday to avoid adding to tensions, said Alex Ramos, the vice president of a group that opposes secession called the Sociedad Civil Catalana (SCC).

"The atmosphere is getting heated and we don't want to take part in the confrontation," he told AFP.

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

Recommended articles

Peter Obi breaking fast with Muslims in Abuja mosque gets Nigerians talking

Peter Obi breaking fast with Muslims in Abuja mosque gets Nigerians talking

Video of weird school competition shows young students licking one another's feet

Video of weird school competition shows young students licking one another's feet

UniCal records highest number of first class graduates in 49 years

UniCal records highest number of first class graduates in 49 years

Army announces names of 17 soldiers killed in shocking Delta attack

Army announces names of 17 soldiers killed in shocking Delta attack

Ooni wants Ile-Ife, Modakeke indigenes to live together peacefully

Ooni wants Ile-Ife, Modakeke indigenes to live together peacefully

'Politics is not about being negative every time' — Peter Obi

'Politics is not about being negative every time' — Peter Obi

Army thinks Okuama community planned shocking murder of 16 soldiers in Delta

Army thinks Okuama community planned shocking murder of 16 soldiers in Delta

27,600 Benue women to receive grants, loans for business growth, self reliant

27,600 Benue women to receive grants, loans for business growth, self reliant

₦184 million per street light project and other shocking figures in 2024 budget

₦184 million per street light project and other shocking figures in 2024 budget

Pulse Sports

Super Eagles Bright Osayi-Samuel punches pitch invader as violence erupts following Trabzonspor vs Fenerbahce

Super Eagles Bright Osayi-Samuel punches pitch invader as violence erupts following Trabzonspor vs Fenerbahce

Naija Stars Abroad: Moffi, Chukwueze battle Oshoala, Echegini for POTW

Naija Stars Abroad: Moffi, Chukwueze battle Oshoala, Echegini for POTW

Report: Super Eagles get new coach for Ghana and Mali clash

Report: Super Eagles get new coach for Ghana and Mali clash

Osimhen misses out on N17b payday after Napoli's UCL loss to Barcelona

Osimhen misses out on N17b payday after Napoli's UCL loss to Barcelona

‘Thank you’ - Osimhen’s girlfriend Stefanie Ladewig grateful for being the mother of his child

‘Thank you’ - Osimhen’s girlfriend Stefanie Ladewig grateful for being the mother of his child

4 reasons why Victor Osimhen should choose Arsenal over Chelsea, Manchester United and PSG

4 reasons why Victor Osimhen should choose Arsenal over Chelsea, Manchester United and PSG

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT