SLAVYANSK, Ukraine
The 'illegal' self-rule referendum concluded on Sunday evening in Ukraine's eastern city of Slavyansk with high turn-out claimed by pro-Russian separatists.
The voting process was over as of 3 p.m. GMT in the city which has remained under control of pro-Russian separatists since early April.
Vitaliy Vyatkin, an official from the referendum commission at Slavyansk Culture Center, maintained that the polls opened on time early Sunday, despite the ongoing clashes near the city.
He stressed that they had to close the polls earlier due to concerns over the citizens' safety.
The ballot boxes were previously announced to remain open until 7 p.m. GMT in the provinces of Donetsk and Luhansk.
There is a high turn-out in the referendum as the voting process went smoothly, said Vyatkin.
Earlier on Sunday, Denis Pushilin -- leader of the self-proclaimed "Donetsk People's Republic" -- also claimed that a high-turn out of voters had been witnessed.
A total of 52 ballot boxes were put up across the city while armed and masked pro-Russian men stood guard before the buildings where the voting was held, an Anadolu Agency correspondent in Slavyansk reported.
The official results of the referendum, which was denounced as 'illegal' by Ukraine and the West, are expected to be announced on Monday.
On Thursday, Slavyansk saw protests where pro-Russian citizens demanded Kiev end operations and pull out of the city.
Ever since the onset of a military operation against pro-Russian separatists in the country last week, a lot of businesses have closed down in Slavyansk, and public transportation has come to a halt due to the barriers set on streets. There is still a night curfew in force in the city.
Two eastern Ukrainian provinces, Luhansk and Donetsk, went to polls for independence from Ukraine, ignoring Russia’s calls to delay the self-rule vote until "necessary conditions are created."
Russia formally annexed the Crimean Peninsula on March 21 following a referendum that Ukraine, the EU and U.S. view as illegitimate.
The tumult has also cast doubts on the crucial nationwide presidential elections currently scheduled for May 25, which Russian President Vladimir Putin has backed, saying it is a "step in the right direction."
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