Donetsk (ANTARA News/ITAR-TASS-OANA) - Ukraines Donetsk region will open 1,527 voting stations for the referendum arranged by the self-proclaimed Donetsk Peoples Republic /DNR/, DNR Election Commission Chairman Roman Lyagin said on Saturday.

He made the statement in the building of the Donetsk region administration which had been seized by supporters of the federalization bid.

"We have complete understanding with the authorities who are not interfering with the plebiscite. Schools will accommodate voting stations in all towns of Ukraines Donetsk region," Lyagin said.

According to the election commission official, federalization supporters had set up 53 district commissions. "Voting will be valid with any turnout," he said adding that the voting stations would close at 23:00, Moscow time.

Lyagin also noted that federalization supporters controlled regional election commissions and that the Donetsk region would not participate in the May 25 presidential election.

Federalization supporters in the Donetsk and Lugansk regions decided to hold referendums on their regions independence on May 11.

Earlier reports said nine ICRC staff had been detained.

Editor: Ella Syafputri
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