Ukraine’s Crimea begins referendum for secession from Ukraine

People in Ukraine’s southern Crimea region have begun voting in a referendum on whether to remain part of Ukraine or join Russia.

Security forces have been deployed to polling stations to maintain security in the Ukrainian Black Sea region during the vote, which began at 0600 GMT on Sunday.

On March 11, the Crimean parliament voted for the region to declare itself an independent state if its residents agree to split off from Ukraine and join Russia in the referendum.

The parliament approved the referendum on secession after former Ukrainian president, Viktor Yanukovych, was ousted and an interim government was formed following months of protests in the country.

Ukraine and the West have both condemned the vote as illegitimate. Russia, however, has welcomed the Crimean assembly’s declaration of independence from Ukraine, describing it as an “absolutely lawful” measure.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said that the result of the Crimea referendum is in full conformity with international law and the UN Charter.

Meanwhile, the United States circulated a draft resolution to the UN Security Council on March 13, urging member states not to recognize the results of the referendum.

Russia, which is one of the five permanent veto-wielding members of the Security Council, opposed the draft, saying the people of Crimea have the right to choose whether to join the Russian Federation.

Polling stations in Crimea close at 1800 GMT. Some 1.5 million voters are reportedly eligible to cast their ballots. The first results are expected to be published during the night or on Monday.