KYIV. May 19 (Interfax) - Problems are likely to emerge in Donetsk, Horlivka and Slovyansk during the presidential elections, but the presidential elections will take place in any case in the Donetsk region, said head of the Donetsk regional sate administration Serhiy Taruta.
"If the elections fail in some districts, this will not mean the elections are a failure in the Donetsk region. We have problematical cities - Slovyansk, Donetsk and Horlivka. The situation in other cities is under control," he said at a press conference in Kyiv on Monday.
He said that the regional authorities are ready to deal with all attempts to derail the elections. The law enforcement services will intensify their activities and additional law enforcement contingents will be provided to guard the polling stations and district election commissions, he also said.
Taruta said that 23 election commissions have been set up in the region and that 2,425 polling stations will open on the polling day.
He also said that gunmen put pressure on the elections commission and some of the election commission heads have been abducted.