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Specialist: run-up to Crimean referendum complies with international practice

SEVASTOPOL, March 16, /ITAR-TASS/. The run-up in Sevastopol to the Crimean referendum due on Sunday, March 16, was in conformity with all international standards, the chairman of the St. Petersburg election commission, Alexei Puchnin, told Tass on Saturday.

Puchnin is in Crimea as an observer, at the invitation of the Sevastopol election commission.

“Preparations may be assessed as rather good. A total of 192 polling stations were set up in Sevastopol, and up to 3,000 people will vote there, which is fully in line with international and Russian standards,” Puchnin said.

“There are practically no special polling stations which would be closed for observers. Election commissions have professionals on them,” he noted. “I don’t believe there may be any violations in the voting procedure, which meets international standards,” he added.

Puchnin said international observers working in Sevastopol were planning to visit as many polling stations as possible on the day of the referendum. On March 6, the Supreme Council (parliament) of Crimea voted to become a part of the Russian Federation. Two questions are put for the referendum:

1. Do you support Crimea’s reunification with Russia as its constituent member?

2. Do you support the restoration of the Constitution of the Republic of Crimea of 1992 and the status of Crimea as a part of Ukraine?