A referendum in the Ust-Ordynsky Buryatia Autonomous Area on unification with the Irkutsk Region and on formation of a new subject of the Russian Federation will be held on April 16, 2006. The session of the local legislative assembly was held on Thursday.

Residents of the autonomous area will have to reply to the following question: “Do you agree that the Irkutsk Region and the Ust-Ordynsky Buryatia Autonomous Area will unite into a new subject of the Russian Federation – an Irkutsk Region, in the composition of which the Ust-Ordynsky Buryatia Autonomous Area will be an administrative and territorial entity with a special status, defined by the Charter of a new subject of the Russian Federation in compliance with legislation of the Russian Federation?” All the 15 members of the local legislative assembly voted for the unification.

A decision on holding the referendum on the same question and on the same day was taken in the Irkutsk Region on Wednesday. It was voted in by 37 deputies of the legislative assembly, against one.

The authorities of the two subjects of the Russian Federation addressed the Russian president with an appropriate proposal last October 11.

If a turnout at the referendums tops 50 percent of the total number of registered voters and most of them say “Yes” to unification, January 1, 2008 will be the date for forming a new subject of the Russian Federation.

Source: Itar Tass