A referendum in eastern Ukraine, a little rigged?
(BRUSSELS2) According to a survey carried out by members of the European Union Delegation in Kiev, there are a series of facts which lead one to think that the "referendum" in Donetsk and in the east of Ukraine (the Donbass region) not only does not have legitimacy but is also "a foregone conclusion".
European diplomats thus rely on a certain number of "objective" elements: 1) the printing of ballot papers, easily falsifiable, even already pre-filled, 2) the presence of armed persons in front of and even inside polling stations, 3) the absence of representatives of the Ukrainian state, 4) the ban on journalists filming inside the polling stations - especially when these are empty, 5) the truncated presentation of "files "in front of the offices simply because only one and only two voting points are open, 6) the atmosphere aimed at minimizing or even terrorizing those who dare to appear as supporters of remaining in Ukraine, etc.
Here is the statement of facts (in English) transmitted by the spokesperson of the EU delegation in Kyiv
- - ballot papers printed on normal printers;
- - "results" are known an advance (example: Ukrainian law-enforcing agencies confiscated recently 100000 pre-filled ballot papers near Sloviansk;
- - presence of unknown gunmen in front or even inside polling stations;
- - these are not legal representatives of Ukrainian state;
- - journalists are not allowed to film and take photo inside polling stations, especially if these are empty;
- - queues are indeed present in some cities, but it is due to the fact that only one or very few stations were opened in that town. Then, all voters have to queue in front of it;
- - these pictures of tails are very actively promoted by Russian state media;
- - according to public opinion polls, around 70% of inhabitants of Eastern Ukraine want to preserve a single state;
- - There is a terror applied towards those, who actively voice pro-Ukrainian views. These people are killed, kidnapped so as a result, many of them are already leaving these two regions (Luhansk and Donetsk).
