Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych has called on local government officials not to allow pressure to be put on the media during the election campaign.
“I would like to warn all officials at all levels again –
interference in the electoral process is a violation of the law, and we
will check every report of it. Both the system of law enforcement
agencies, and, of course, the courts, will respond in line with the
existing law,” he said at the Council of Regions on Wednesday.
Yanukovych said there had recently been complaints from different political parties as regards various violations.
“I would like you to pay attention to violations in sensitive areas,
such as obstructing the work of journalists and the media. If you
receive such complaints, you must respond immediately and in any case do
not allow pressure on the media at any level,” the president said.
Yanukovych again said there was a need to promote equal conditions in the election campaign.
Speaking about the organization of the monitoring system, the
president said there had been positive feedback from various European
institutions, including from future election observers.
