KIEV, May 05. /ITAR-TASS/. The “people’s governor” of the eastern Ukrainian Luhansk region, Valery Bolotov, has authorized a referendum on May 11 where people will be asked to say whether they support state autonomy for the Luhansk People’s Republic.

Bolotov believes that people in the region will be able to express their will freely. “We will act in the interests of people in a manner as transparent as possible. It will be a fair referendum. We will not take any other steps except worthy expression of the will,” he said.

Vote-counting groups have been set up and places for polling stations chosen, Bolotov said, adding that the authorities have confirmed that lists of voters have been drawn up and ballots are being prepared.