Massive turnout in Catalonia as Spain faces crucial election

Catalans are heading to the polling stations in mass to cast their votes in the Spanish general election, after a campaign that has revolved around the independence bid and the rise of the far right. And the voting day is almost over, with the last figures before the ballots are counted released after 6pm.

The last provisional figures for the day show a turnout in Catalonia of 64.2%, some 18 points higher than in the last elections in 2016 (which in turn had seen a number of voters of 46.3%). In the whole of Spain the 6pm figures showed a participation of 60.7% (numbers which three years ago were at 51.2%).

Earlier provisional figures from midday, released after 2pm, showed a 43.5% turnout in Catalonia by 2 pm, an 11-point increase compared with the previous general election in 2016.

Catalonia takes center stage in vote

In one of Spain’s most crucial elections in decades, Catalonia has taken center stage following a campaign with most parties having an eye on the 2017 independence bid, when a referendum and a declaration of independence provoked an unprecedented political crisis.

Now, the leaders of the main pro-independence parties are running as candidates from prison, and unionist right-wing parties repeatedly attacked the Spanish president Pedro Sánchez for coming to power thanks to the votes from Catalan parties.

While the turnout rose in Spain as a whole (41.4%, a 4.5-point increase), it could partly be due to the skyrocketing numbers in Catalonia.

5.5 million voters

The actual number of people in Catalonia with the right to vote in the election comes to 5,558,095, some 68,319 more than in the last general election in 2016.

Polling places open for voting at 9am, and are due to close at 8pm, although if people remain in the polling place at that time, it can stay open until their ballot has been cast.