Fraud and violations in parliamentary election in Ukraine were systematic in nature, experts say
Maidan Monitoring project team announced, that current data from Ukraine’s polling stations suggests that fraud and violations in parliamentary election in Ukraine were systematic in nature. The International Renaissance Foundation supports the project.
Team of the project that started monitoring violations of electoral law on June 9th has previously warned that district and local election commissions wouldn’t be formed according to law.
Administrative pressure was systemically used for bribing of voters and manipulations. On numerous occasions social projects funded by the state budget (taxpayers money) were portrayed as achievements of certain candidates – renovation of roads, construction of playgrounds, provision of computers for schools and more.
“Maidan Monitoring: Electon-2012” teams believes that obvious systemic violations were detected and detailed on the day of vote. Large number of polling stations wouldn’t have signs clearly saying that the process of voting in the booths wasn’t recorded on video – although this was demanded by CEC. In Crimea the abovementioned signs were totally absent.
“Voters could feel pressure because of presence of web-cameras during voting”, – says. – Other that that, huge number of polling stations wouldn’t grant voters access to protocols detailing results of the vote. That allows for suspicion that election commissions wanted to hide something,” Maidan Monitoring chief Natalka Zubar says.
“Facts show a general tendency toward obstruction of voters right to elect in an environment free of coercion.Voters were pressured during campaign and were thwarted from freely forming their choice. Manipulation andpressuring of voters into certain choices were a part of this tendency. It’s now up to observers and – if necessary – courts to decide whether abovementioned events influenced the results of the parliamentary election. Finally it’s the public that will give the election final evaluation and accept or reject the results,” Maidan Monitoring’ law advisor Oleksand Severyn says.
Conclusive statements based on results of monitoring will be issued after final analysis of all collected data. “Maidan Monitoring” plans to publish a thorough report on violations during election campaign.
As of present (11:00 Kyiv time), interactive crowd-sourced map created by “Maidan” details 1473 reports on violations of electoral law.
Contacts:
Maidan Monitoring
Natalka Zubar
panimaidan@gmail.com
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Main objective of the International Renaissance Foundation is to provide financial and operational assistance to the development of an open and democratic society in Ukraine by supporting key civic initiatives in this area.
