ERC and Junts+ request to extend voting times because of train disruption
Catalan government says lack of commuter rail service disrupts the right to vote on election day, while electoral boards are studying decision
Pro-independence Esquerra Republicana and Junts+ parties have requested the regional electoral boards to extend voting hours in Sunday's election due to the disrupted services in the Rodalies commuter rail system.
While Esquerra requested that polling stations remain open for one extra hour in Barcelona and Tarragona, Junts+ wanted all polling stations across Catalonia to have an extended opening schedule.
Junts+ suggests that such hours should be required to "fix and restore the normal Rodalies service, managed by the Spanish government, to ensure the fundamental right of voting for all citizens," a text shared by the party reads.
Catalonia's High Court has confirmed that the four provincial electoral boards of Catalonia have received requests from ERC and Junts+ asking for the extension of voting hours in the elections being held this Sunday. They have also reported that the provincial boards of Tarragona, Lleida and Girona have raised the question to the Central Electoral Board (JEC). In addition, the Provincial Board of Barcelona has requested a prior report from Renfe on what happened this Sunday in the Rodalies service.
Early on Sunday morning, the Rodalies commuter train service in the Barcelona area was severely disrupted due to the theft of copper cable in Montcada i Reixac, just northeast of Barcelona.
No commuter train lines were able to reach Barcelona on Sunday morning, while regional trains are also affected and high-speed trains work as usual.
The major incident coincides with the Catalan election day, and the Catalan vice president, Laura Vilagrà, said that the disruptions affect the right to vote and the turnout.
The situation is "unacceptable," she said, calling on the Spanish transports minister, Óscar Puente, to take prompt action.
Upon voting, the Catalan president, Pere Aragonès, also said that the damage to the commuter train network could affect the right to vote, and added that the issues come after years of "lack of public spending" in the service by the Spanish government.
Indignation in Sants station
The atmosphere at Sants station on Sunday was one of widespread indignation at the lack of service.
"Today I will be unable to vote for the first time and it will be because of the train," lamented Josep Garriga, 91 years old, and who had to take a train to vote in Sant Esteve de Palautordera.
"I should have left at 11 am and I can already see that it will be impossible," Garriga added, who ruled out spending "more than €100" to make the trip by taxi.
Many rail users, including plenty of tourists, are waiting with confusion and resignation for the departure of trains.
"There is no alternative," said Alejandro Domínguez.