You're reading: PACE delegation calls on Ukrainians to vote in presidential elections

 A pre-electoral mission of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has called on Ukrainians to vote in the upcoming presidential elections and expects the authorities to guarantee the security of the entire electoral process. "The PACE delegation is convinced that, following the revolution, Ukraine needs a democratic and credible presidential election to establish legitimate political authority. Therefore, it calls on all Ukrainian citizens, whatever their political convictions or linguistic and regional sensibilities, to play an active part in the election campaign and to participate in the forthcoming election," the mission said in a statement, which was made available to Interfax-Ukraine.

 The mission said that any external interference in the domestic affairs of Ukraine and in the electoral process “should be excluded, in order to guarantee the people’s freedom to vote.”

Observers also noted that during the campaign and on election day all necessary measures should be taken to ensure the security of the entire electoral process, including the functioning of district and precinct election commissions, to avoid possible cases of intimidation or violence towards their members.

In addition, the PACE delegation condemned any attempt to undermine media freedom and asks the authorities to provide journalists and others in the media with effective protection.

The mission also noted that the election campaign environment had been affected by tensions, and the “interference of armed groups influenced by the Russian authorities,” particularly in the eastern regions.

“The Assembly delegation strongly condemns all cases of violence. It is crucial that all presidential candidates enjoy equal conditions to freely meet the electors and inform them about their programs, have equal access to the media and are able to conduct their campaigns in all regions of Ukraine without discrimination and according to Ukrainian legislation,” reads the statement.

At the same time, the delegation welcomed the efforts of the Ukrainian authorities to enable all Ukrainian citizens whose homes are occupied, such as in Crimea, or are the subject of armed interference, such as in Donetsk and Luhansk regions, to go to the closest polling stations in order to cast their vote.

According to PACE, the delegation headed by Andreas Gross (Switzerland, SOC) visited Kyiv to evaluate the election campaign and preparations for the early presidential election on May 25, 2014.

The Parliamentary Assembly will send a 52-member delegation to observe the early presidential elections in Ukraine.