VOTERS went to the polls in Catalonia yesterday as 5.3 million people were called to cast their ballots in an important parliamentary election for its pro-independence movement.

Polls predicted a tight race between the Socialists and the two leading pro-independence parties, the left-wing Republic Left of Catalonia and the centre-right Together for Catalonia.

The goal for independence supporters was to not only maintain their slim majority of the Catalan parliament based in Barcelona, but also to try to break the 50% barrier of the popular vote for the first time.

Salvador Illa, who was in charge of Spain’s coronavirus response as its health minister until last month, led the ticket of the pro-Spain Socialist Party of Catalonia.

Illa was hoping to end the hold that pro-independence politicians have held in the parliament for the past decade.

The wealthy area has been the source of Spain’s biggest political crisis in decades since the independence referendum in 2017.

Several of the leaders of the pro-independence movement were sent to prison, while others were forced into exile other European countries.

With Spain still suffering from a post-Christmas spike in coronavirus infections, the vote was being held under strict health regulations.

Voters had to wear face masks, use the hand disinfectant provided at polling stations, and remain at least 1.5 metres apart while queuing.

Those particularly vulnerable to Covid-19 were encouraged to vote between 9am and noon.

The general population was supposed to vote from noon until 7pm, with the final hour before polls closed at 8pm to be used by voters who were either infected or quarantined due to recent contact with an infected person.

The result had not been declared when The National went to press last night.