Symbolic Vote on Catalan Independence in Pictures

On November 9, the autonomous province of Catalonia is holding a non-binding vote on whether it should remain a part of Spain or strive for independence. The voters are asked two questions: “Do you want Catalonia to become a state?” and “If so, do you want Catalonia to be an independent state?”
Above: Spanish unionists protest in Madrid against the symbolic independence vote in Catalonia.

6,430 ballot-boxes are installed in 1,255 schools and colleges. More than 40,000 volunteers are assisting the Catalans during the consultation.
Above: People queue to cast their ballots in a symbolic independence vote at a polling station in Vilassar de Dalt, near Barcelona.

There is no official list of “voters”; more than 5,4 million Catalans aged 16 and older are eligible, so are foreigners permanently residing in Catalonia. 18 ballot stations are open abroad.
Above: A man with the estelada flag casts his ballot.

Eight observers from Belgium, France, Germany, Slovenia, Sweden and Great Britain have arrived in Catalonia to inspect the vote. They plan to visit about 30 schools.
Above: A Barcelona resident puts his voting paper in the ballot box.

After the announcement that the votes would be counted by the autonomy’s authorities, the Catalan government suffered a hacker attack.
Above: A queue to a polling station in Catalonia.

Catalan President Artur Mas signed a decree on September 27 to set the independence referendum on November 9.
Above: Catalan President Artur Mas and his wife Helena Rakosnik vote in Barcelona on November 9, 2014.

The Spanish Constitutional Court declared the vote illegal and the Supreme Court declined Catalonia’s appeal to challenge the decision.
Above: Independence supporters take part in a rally ahead of voting on an informal poll on November 7, 2014.

Artur Mas decided the voting on November 9 would be carried out as an unofficial consultation despite the central government’s protests.
Above: Oriol Junqueras, head of the pro-independence Republican Left of Catalonia, center, holds a drawing of a ballot box during a rally ahead of voting on an informal poll on November 8.

Catalonia is the northeastern region of Spain, with its 7,5 million residents totaling 15% of the Spanish population.
Above: Spanish unionists shout slogans and hold a Spanish flag during a protest in Madrid against the symbolic independence vote in Catalonia.

Catalonia became an autonomous province of Spain in 1479. The region’s autonomy has fluctuated from Catalonia’s almost breaking away in 1871 to its suppression by Franco.
Above: A rally in support of Catalonia’s independence in Barcelona.

Independence supporters won an absolute majority in the Parliament of Catalonia and in January 2014 voted to hold a referendum on independence.
Above: Fireworks are displayed after a rally in support of the independence of Catalonia in Barcelona.