Catalan independence referendum: Voting begins even as Spanish government terms it illegal
Madrid has sent thousands of extra police officers from other forces to Catalonia, which accounts for one-fifth of Spain’s economy to stop the referendum from happening
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Voting began on Sunday for the Catalan regional government’s independence referendum despite Spanish government’s pledge to stop the vote that was declared illegal by country’s constitutional court.AP
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The ballot papers contain just one question, Do you want Catalonia to become an independent state in the form of a republic? There were two boxes with Yes or No. AP
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Catalonia is a wealthy region of over 7.5 million people in north-eastern Spain, has its own language and culture. The Catalan Independence referendum is an attempt to break away from Spain.AP
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Thousands of separatist supporters occupied schools and other buildings that had been designated as voying centres ahead of the polls opening. AP
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Riot police forced their way into polling stations in the Catalan town of Girona on sunday where the region’s separatist leader was due to vote banned by Madrid. AP
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The vote has stoked passions in the wealthy northeastern region, pitting Catalan leaders against the central government in one of the biggest crisis to hit Spain since democracy was restored after death of dictator Franciso Franco in 1975. AP
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The vote has sown divisions among Catalans themselves with the region deeply split on independence even if a large majority wants to be allowed to settle the matter in a legal vote. AP
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