You're reading: Crimea referendum results may be announced on March 17

The results of the March 16 referendum on whether Crimea should become part of Russia are expected to be announced on March 17, referendum committee chairman Mykhailo Malyshev said.

“As soon as we receive the last protocol from the territorial
commissions and prepare our own, we will announce the results of the
referendum. I think it will happen on Monday, March 17,” he said.

During the referendum, polling stations will be open from 8 a.m.
to 8 p.m. instead of 10 p.m. as was announced
earlier, he added.

Meanwhile, the city’s acting mayor Dmytro Belyk told reporters on
Thursday that the preliminary results of the referendum could be
announced in Sevastopol as early as this Sunday.

“A big concert and marathon with participation of Russian performers
will be held non-stop at Nakhimov Square on the referendum day. The
results of the plebiscite could probably be announced to all those
gathered in Sevastopol’s main square just before midnight,” Belyk said.