Voting closing in eastern Ukraine

As the last remaining voters turn in ballots, polls are starting to close in Ukraine.

In Slaviansk, officials have locked the doors and started counting.

This referendum on self-rule has raised fears of civil war.

Separatists hope to have the ballots counted by Monday afternoon, although the outcome will not be widely recognized internationally.

Earlier in the day, an official in Luhansk said turnout was high.

(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) LUHANSK REFERENDUM ELECTION COMMISSION CHAIR, NATALIA VOROBYOVA, SAYING:

"The voting is going really well. People are coming to us like it's a holiday. Today for Luhansk residents in general it's a holiday. The referendum is a big holiday in our city. Not only in our city, but in the whole of Donbass, where the referendum is being held. The turnout is really big."

The day was not without its challenges.

One election official said Ukrainian forces blocked workers on the road.

(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) LUHANSK