Over 20 percent of LPR voters cast ballots on first day of referendum

More than 20 percent of Lugansk People’s Republic residents on voter lists have cast their ballots on the first day of the referendum on the LPR joining the Russian Federation, LPR Central Election Commission chairwoman Yelena Kravchenko said.

“As of 20:00, voter turnout made up 21.97 percent,” Kravchenko said adding that 298,900 people had voted on the first day of the referendum.

The LPR referendum on joining the Russian Federation as a constituent entity is taking place on September 23-27. Polling stations will be open to voters only on September 27; on other dates, voting will be arranged as special venues including public space in residential areas. The CEC set up 461 polling places in the LPR and 201 in Russian regions.

On May 11, 2014, the Lugansk and Donetsk People’s Republics held a referendum on their self-determination as Kiev launched a military operation against Donbass. 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.

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. *i*s