Independence referendum in Catalonia, latest live news
All eyes are on Catalonia today, as the regional government tries to hold its planned independence referendum in the northeastern Spanish region, despite the poll having been declared illegal by the Spanish courts. In the run-up to the vote, tensions have been running high throughout Spain, with pro-secessionists camping out in school buildings to be used as polling stations, in a bid to stop the authorities from sealing them off. Thousands of protestors – both for and against the independence movement – have taken to the streets throughout Spain.
On the ground in Catalonia, the Civil Guard has taken control of the regional Telecommunications Center in order to avoid electronic voting to take place.
So far the day has seen confrontations and scuffles between the police and citizens, with reports of 38 people suffering light injuries so far. The Mossos d’Esquadra regional police force did not carry out an order from the courts to seal off buildings to be used as polling places, prompting the public prosecutor to announce it will be taking action against the force for acting like “political police.”
The regional government claims that 73% of polling places have been able to open, although police sources indicate that none of them have had an internet connection since 8.30am and the votes are being recorded manually with pen and paper.
The regional government announced on Sunday morning that it would be using a universal census that will allow citizens to vote in any polling place, without an envelope and using a ballot slip printed at home.
The central government has condemned the “passivity” of the Mossos and has discounted the referendum as “ruined.”
Click here the latest live news coverage so far of the Catalan bid for independence, and stay on this page to see updates throughout the day of all of the events as they unfold.
