Yatseniuk: Election campaign in Ukraine not complying with democratic standards

The Batkivschyna united opposition is demanding that President Viktor Yanukovych ensure the opening of criminal cases due to pressure being exerted on members of election commissions from the opposition and dismiss the heads of the police, the Security Service of Ukraine and prosecutor's offices who commit such violations of the law, the head of the council of the Batkivschyna united opposition, Arseniy Yatseniuk, has said.  

The press service of the Front for Change Party cited Yatseniuk as saying at a press conference in Mykolaiv on Tuesday, Oct. 9, that large-scale election fraud is currently being observed in Ukraine.

"The electoral process is not only the last day [before the elections]. The most important thing is preparations for the elections and the election campaign itself," he said.

"Today we can clearly say that the holding of the election campaign in Ukraine does not comply with democratic norms and standards," Yatseniuk said.

He said that the main problem now was pressure being exerted on voters and members of election commissions. In particular, he said, employees of special police units are being used for this purpose. Yatseniuk said that they were making a video recording of all rallies being held by the united opposition in Ukraine.

"I'm demanding that President Yanukovych immediately ensure the opening of criminal cases against those who are putting pressure on voters and members of commissions and dismiss the heads of the police, the SBU and prosecutor's offices who are not responding to violations of the law," Yatseniuk said.