You're reading: OSCE wants to continue cooperation with group working on Ukraine’s electoral laws

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) does not support claims about the non-transparent work of an ad hoc group working on improving Ukraine's electoral legislation, since not only foreign experts, but also representatives of the opposition political forces participated in drafting election bills, OSCE Project Coordinator in Ukraine Lubomir Kopaj has said.

He also said that the OSCE is willing to provide technical assistance to the working group. In particular, the organization is ready to translate the materials of the group to help foreign experts and observers better understand the meaning and methods of its work. In addition, they could help in conducting roundtables and expert meetings to discuss the drafts of the electoral law and keep the public informed about this work, he said.

As reported, the National Democratic Institute (NDI) notified Ukrainian Justice Minister Oleksandr Lavrynovych on March 17 that it was suspending its participation in the working group on the improvement of electoral laws, which are chaired by the minister.

The NDI expressed concern that opposition parties and non-governmental organizations are not allowed to participate in the working group, and the group’s discussions and drafting of the bills were taking place behind closed doors. According to the institute, the composition of the group remains disproportionately government or pro-government.