President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko has met with civil experts to discuss their participation in the formation of the law to prevent violations during the electoral process after irregularities were uncovered during the by-election to the Verkhovna Rada in constituency No. 205 [Chernihiv].
“The president invited the civil representatives to discuss the specific steps, in particular, legislative [steps], in order to prevent violations during the next elections, in particular, during the local elections on Oct. 25,” the presidential press service reported on July 28.
The Criminal Code of Ukraine stipulates severe punishments for violations of electoral legislation and interference in the election process. Last autumn, the president signed a law which toughened criminal liability for bribing voters, however the sanctions didn’t stop violators, Poroshenko said.
Poroshenko thanked activists who participated in the civil control of the election in constituency No. 205 in Chernihiv, which was held on July 26.
The election showed the necessity of improving the law on elections, in particular toughening liability for bribing voters, giving the judicial branch the opportunity to respond to the bribery of voters before removing a candidate from elections, and changing the principles of forming district election commissions, Poroshenko said.
Poroshenko also promised to introduce the draft law on results of elections in constituency No. 205. to the Verkhovna Rada.
“Noticeable, cynical distribution of buckwheat, ignoring and strong criticism of the law enforcement agencies. Certain candidates felt their impunity. We all, together, must prevent such things,” he said.
OPORA civil network representative Olha Aivazovska said it was important to secure an inevitable punishment for violators of electoral legislation, civil qualitative preparation, and an effective legislative basis. In particular, she said that starting from September, it will be necessary to launch an extensive information campaign on informing the public of the punishment for bribing voters to raise awareness of the issue.
Director of the Committee of Voters of Ukraine Oleksiy Koshel, representative of International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) Denys Kovryzhenko, representative of Internews-Ukraine and the Reanimation Package of Reforms initiative Yevhen Radchenko, MP, former chairman of the CVU Oleksandr Chernenko, and deputy head of the Presidential Administration of Ukraine Rostyslav Pavlenko also participated in the meeting.
