(VOVworld) – Spain’s north-eastern region of Catalonia conducted a symbolic survey of public opinion on its independence, despite strong criticism from the Madrid’s administration.

Catalans at a polling station in Barcelona. (Photo: Albert Gea)

Voters were given two questions to answer: “Do you want Catalonia to be a state?” was the first and in the case of a positive response, voters were asked: “Do you want Catalonia to be an independent state?” Around 5.4 million Catalonian people and foreigners from the age of 16 and beyond were allowed for the vote. The result will be announced later in the day.

Earlier in the year, Catalonia’s administration planned an official survey on its independence. But it came up against pressures by the government of Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy and a decision by the Spanish Constitutional Court demanding to suspend the official referendum. Prime Minister Rajoy pledged that his government would protect national unity in the context of the country’s economy which is gradually restoring after the depression.