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Developments in eastern Ukraine

Three million voters ahead for Donetsk poll, say new republic's election officials

The election of the territory's leader and members of legislative bodies will tale place at 363 polling stations opening at 8am on November 2 and closing at 8pm, says electoral commission head

© Mikhail Pochuyev/TASS

DONETSK, October 30. /TASS/. Officials expect nearly 3,200,000 voters will take part in forthcoming elections for top jobs in the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) after "a "day of silence" on November 1 when political agitation will be prohibited from midnight”, said electoral commission head Roman Lyagin.

Voters will choose the territory's leader and members of legislative bodies at 363 polling stations opening at 8am on November 2 and closing at 8pm, Lyagin said. One hundred deputies will be elected to the national council.

“To participate in the vote, it will be necessary to present a passport showing registration in the DPR,” Lyagin said, adding that anyone aged 16 and over is able to cast a ballot. Turnout is expected to mirror the number of people taking part in the May referendum on independence for the Donetsk region.

Online and postal voting to elect the territory's leader and council members in the DPR had already begun ahead of polling day, Lyagin said.

“To vote via the Internet, people must open the Central Electoral Commission website and follow instructions published there,” he said, adding that October 31 is the last day of electronic balloting for voters outside the republic. Ballots can be forwarded online or sent by post.

Main candidates for the role of head of state are Prime Minister Alexander Zakharchenko, parliamentarian Yury Sivokonenko and Alexander Kofman, deputy chairman of the Novorossiya Federal State regional parliament.

Voters are choosing their leader and representatives for a four-year fixed term. The two political forces fighting the campaign are Donetsk Republic and Free Donbass.

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