UCC Election Observation Mission in Ukraine 2007

Kyiv, October 01, 2007 – The Ukrainian electoral law encourages and permits interested international Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs), particularly those based in democratic states, to observe their elections in order to assess the degree to which commitments to follow internationally accepted electoral standards are being honoured. In response to this general invitation, and in accordance with the Law of Ukraine, Article 77 - “On the Election of Peoples Deputies of Ukraine” the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) deployed an Election Observer Mission (EOM) to observe the Parliamentary Election which took place on September 30, 2007.

The UCC established its Election Observer Mission in Ukraine on September 4, 2007, deploying experienced and trained Canadian volunteer election observers, who for the most part, have Ukrainian or Russian language capabilities. The EOM included one long-term observer, 13 group leaders and 110 short-term observers deployed in 15 oblasts (regional centres) observing over 2,000 polling stations. Most observers spoke Ukrainian and were Canadian citizens. The EOM worked collegially with observers from numerous other international and domestic election observation groups. In addition to the Head of Mission, Orysia Sushko and Chief Observer, Ron Chyczij, Chair of the EOM, Emil Yereniuk, and committee members Olya Sheweli and Darcy Koshman were on location to carry out the mandate of the EOM.

The EOM assessed compliance of the electoral process with domestic legislation, and other international standards for democratic elections. This statement of preliminary findings and conclusions is issued prior to the final certification of election results. The UCC will publish a comprehensive Final Report, after its completion of a more extensive review process to include more specific details of its observations. The UCC is committed to assisting the authorities and civil society of Ukraine in meeting its democratic electoral commitments, in order for its citizens to enjoy the basic rights and freedoms to which they are entitled.

Preliminary Assessment

On September 30, 2007, Ukraine’s voters cast their ballots for the pre-term election of 450 Peoples’ Deputies of Ukraine to the Verkhovna Rada (VR) or Parliament from an array of 20 parties/blocs – which the Central Election Commission (CEC) registered for this parliamentary election. The registration of 20 parties/blocks offered the voters of Ukraine a genuine choice.

Our current assessment indicates that on balance in the oblasts under observation there was a serious attempt to meet the internationally accepted standards for free, fair and transparent elections; nevertheless, there were some serious flaws in the conduct of the electoral process.

Due to the shortness of time since the closing of the election exit polls, the UCC preliminary report  provides a summary of findings rather than specific examples. More detail will be provided in the UCC final report in due course. The Preliminary UCC EOM Report is available from the UCC National Head Office in Winnipeg: Suite 647, 167 Lombard Avenue, telephone: (204) 942-4627 or Toll-Free (in Canada): 1-866-942-4627, or by email: ucc@ucc.ca . Visit website: www.ucc.ca .