After the last polling station closed in Luhansk and Donetsk regions at 23:00 local time (20:00 GMT), election commissions began counting the votes.

According to preliminary results – based on phone call reports from local commissions – in Donetsk region 89.7% of votes were cast in favor of political independence from Kiev.

Moreover in Luhansk region, while preliminary results have not yet been announced, the leader of the local “people’s front” said that only around 5% have voted against the “Act of state self-rule of the Luhansk People's Republic.”

Central election commissions are yet to receive official reports from polling stations across the region. Earlier, it was reported that the documents would not be transported until the next morning over fears of possible attacks and provocations.

Despite fears that amid Kiev’s intensified military operations the voter turnout would be low, in both of the regions it was unexpectedly high. In Donetsk it reached 74.87%, while in Luhansk the central election commission says 81% of eligible voters came to the polling stations.

With such a huge turnout, the referendums have been recognized as valid by both election commissions.

Kiev, however, has described regional voting on self-determination as illegal and has sent its recently established paramilitary forces to halt the holding of referendums.

NTJ/MB