KYIV (UCC Press Release) - The Canada Ukraine Foundation (CUF) Election Observation Mission presented its preliminary findings after first round presidential election vote in Ukraine, held on January 17. While the elections were found to be generally free and fair, the Canadians did uncover isolated incidents of electoral fraud that could potentially disenfranchise millions of voters should similar schemes become widespread in what promises to be a hotly-contested runoff round of elections early next month.

“Our current assessment indicates that on balance, in the oblasts under observation, there was an adequate attempt to meet internationally accepted standards for free and fair elections. However, there remains an overriding concern that the institutionalization of free and fair elections requires a greater exercise of political will at the highest levels,” Chief Election Observer Lubomyr Markevych told journalists at a press conference in Kyiv on January 18.

“An Election Day failure by Ukraine’s Central Election Commission to take emergency action in District Election Commission #91 (Bila Tserkva, Kyiv Oblast) where 23 polling stations failed to convene opening day quorums led to chaotic voting conditions and the disenfranchisement of voters, including those voting at home. An additional provocation occurred with the circulation of a false CEC declaration advising that the election was postponed to a future date,” Markevych said.

Ukraine’s voters cast their ballots in the country’s fifth presidential election since gaining independence 19 years ago. A total of 18 registered candidates contested the election and assured citizens of a genuine choice. Official results have not been announced but preliminary returns suggest that no candidate will obtain the necessary 50% + 1 of votes cast. Accordingly, the top two contenders - former premiers and bitter Orange Revolution rivals Viktor Yanukovych and Yulia Tymoshenko - will advance to a second round to be held in February 7, 2010.

CUF, in association with the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, established its 2010 Election Observation Mission (EOM) on January 3, 2010 deploying experienced and trained Canadian volunteer election observers. The EOM was comprised of 5 team leaders and 60 short-term observers in 6 oblasts (regional areas) observing over 600 polling stations.

The full text of the preliminary election observer report (in Ukrainian and English versions) and a copy of the fake order postponing elections can be found by visiting ucc.ca/media_releases.