Roe, you live there, think about it, think about the Basque small villages where everybody knows everyone very well; do you suppose the result of that referendum would be 100% true to people's opinions and feelings?, I'd say terror is a factor that can taint(¿?) the outcome even if it's only a little bit, and what's really the use of voting anything if it's not done 101% freely?
I personally (and I'm sure millions of Spaniards agree) have wished for the longest time that:
-The constitution allowed regional referendums.
-The voting took place but ALL sorts of measures were taken somehow so that everyone who wanted to vote, did so, and viceversa.
-Those voters were totally fear-free
-If the result was NO independence for the Pais Vasco....too bad guys!
-If the result was YES and farewell to Spain; we would bye-bye back. (though I'd be sad for the thousands of Basques that would be in a separate country, without wanting to, and "left alone" with some pretty unhuman individuals! )