Referendum is basically a crowd psychology thing, that allows people to believe there is a big support for the independence. This makes it easier to create a sh

Referendum is basically a crowd psychology thing, that allows people to believe there is a big support for the independence. This makes it easier to create a shadow government, convince some of the local police to take its side and pressure others to at least not to intervene. And with support from the crowd and inactive police it will be easy to take over government buildings, mass communication channels for propaganda, set up block posts, etc., eventually creating a separate county. The government is in a hard position though, if it doesn't use force it loses. If it does it still might lose or even start a war, but at least there is a chance to stay in power.