Because of my strong interest in Ukrainian politics, election observation experience, international contacts and my desire to see the people enjoy the benefits of democratic elections, I established the Foundation for Free Elections. When President Viktor Yanukovych extended his invitation to international monitoring organizations we responded, our observers were subsequently accredited by the Central Election Commission.
I monitored the vote count in Kyiv at precinct 800077 in district 211. The commissioners and particularly the deputy were hostile, aggressive and abusive toward the observers – both domestic and international. They created an atmosphere of intimidation which did not honor the invitation of their president and their behavior was an embarrassment to all decent Ukrainians.
Their absolute disregard for election law and general incompetence was shocking. At one point when my translator inquired as to why they were not following the law, the commissioners began shouting at the observers.
At the start of the vote count, the commissioners very aggressively demanded that the observers move to an area of the room from which it was nearly impossible to monitor the proceedings and counting processes. To enforce that we stay in the area, the commissioners angrily set up a metal barrier and threatened anyone who crossed it with expulsion. The situation was reminiscent of the Berlin Wall.
Ukrainian election law allows observers to observe the entire process without barriers (including metal ones) and this was one of several blatant violations of Ukrainian law by the election commission at this polling site.
A small, but interesting incident was when we asked them to introduce themselves and they told us that their identities were “government top secrets” and we didn’t need to know. If the commissioners were abiding by Ukrainian laws and proud of their work, why do they hide their identities? This also is contrary to Ukrainian election law.
Perhaps the most shocking was toward the end when the commission chairwoman kept disappearing behind a closed, locked door with the official election stamp and protocols.
As they began sorting ballots we told them that we could not see what was going on and they responded that we didn’t need to see, but should “shut up” and listen, again they made threats of expulsion for “disturbing” their work. This aggressive behavior is contrary to the open invitation to international observers from Yanukovych and brings shame upon the electoral process.
Article 79.8 of the law states that commissioners shall facilitate the work of election observers; the commissioners at precinct 800077, district 211 however, put great effort into obstructing our work, which created a great deal of concern over just what it was that they were trying so hard to hide.
Perhaps the most shocking was toward the end when the commission chairwoman kept disappearing behind a closed, locked door with the official election stamp and protocols. The other commissioners reacted very defensively and refused observers’ efforts to enter the room. Our repeated requests to view the protocols were ignored – also contrary to Ukrainian law.
The last one I want to mention is the way the commissioners adamantly refused to properly seal the protocols in boxes for transportation to the District Election Commission.
This is an egregious violation of Ukrainian law as well.
We brought it to their attention that the boxes were not sealed properly and they told us that they did not have enough of the official seals although I had personally seen and photographed the chairwoman carrying four green fasteners in her hand after the first two had been applied to the box containing ballots.
I mentioned this and was ignored as they continued applying white tape to the outside of one of the boxes, there was absolutely no attempt to seal other box in any way whatsoever.
Very shortly after that the chairwoman, deputy and several other commissioners literally grabbed the boxes and ran from the building, jumped into a vehicle and sped off.
An observer followed as fast as he could telling them that observers had the right to accompany the transportation of protocols to the district election commission and as the commissioners ran they shouted that we could not come with them and to find our own way if we wanted to go.
People who are honest, reputable, and have nothing to hide do not behave in this way.
In my opinion, at best they were totally ignorant of the concept of democratic elections or, at worse and probably more likely, they were blatantly corrupt, perhaps a mix of both.
Marjorie Thorpe is chairperson and a member of the board of directors for the Foundation for Free Elections.
