Almost 60% of voters are interested in election programs of candidates, according to survey

Results of the survey refute the stereotype, actively promoted by politicians, that voters are not prepared to substantial election programs of candidates. “57,4% of respondents said that they are interested in programs of candidates and consider them to be an important element of election campaigns,” noted Olha Ayvazovska, CEO of civic network OPORA. She also added that “22,4% of voters are ready to defend their rights in court, which is a rather high indicator of legal activity”.

According to the results of expert survey conducted by the Network for Support of Reform and Civic Assembly of Ukraine (held in 13 regions with quota sampling), there is lack of substantial election discussion. “Activity of the so-called ‘new parties’ has not become more active compared with ‘old parties’. Unfortunately, we do not see the difference, despite declared ‘new quality’”, Andriy Kohut, secretary of the Civic Assembly of Ukraine, said.

Nataliya Lynnyk from the Committee of Voters of Ukraine noted the general apathy concerning the possibility of positive change after the election. “Therefore, we expect that voters’ turnout will be about 68-70% in the west of the country, 50-60% – in the center, north and south of the country, and traditionally nearly 70% in Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts”.

Despite this, the results of the sociological survey of Civic Network OPORA demonstrate that the number of voters who consider democracy to be the most preferred form of government increased by 10%. Olha Ayvazovska noted, “47% of citizens are confident in democracy. These results show that Ukrainians begin to appreciate what they lose”.

Participants of the press conference reported that the major local problems concern issues of municipal housing and public utilities services, infrastructure and quality of life (particularly, inflation). The rhetoric of candidates largely focuses on the theme of reforming municipal housing and public utilities services through creation of condominium associations. However, candidates pay much attention to national-wide political issues that cannot be resolved at the local level (for instance, issue of tax regulation, pensions).

The most active election campaign is being conducted by the Party of Regions. “Strong Ukraine” comes second; and “Batkivshchyna” – third. According to the monitoring of Civic Assembly of Ukraine, the following parties are settled in descending order: “Front for Change” party, United Center, Communist Party of Ukraine, People’s Party, party “For Ukraine!”, “Svoboda”. In terms of regional dimension, local political forces demonstrate active position. For instance, “Hometown” of Hennadiy Minayev in Sumy, “Unity” of Oleksandr Dombrovsky and “Conscience of Ukraine” of Volodymyr Hroysman in Vinnytsia, party “EKO + 25” in Zakarpattya.

“Voters are confused by the very process of choosing from a large number of new parties and majority candidates (10-20 people per seat; 5, 7 and sometimes 10 types of ballots),” Committee of Voters of Ukraine noted.

Experts warn that this situation can be used for artificial increase of turnout, manipulation with the number of ballots (non-granting of all ballots to voters). It is already clear that large queues at polling stations can not be avoided on the election day, which is explained not only by the number of ballots, but also by lack of funding and insufficient equipment of district polling stations (insufficient number of booths and ballot boxes).

Source: Civic Assembly of Ukraine, +380 63 628-68-69, +380 63 617-97-05, assembly@gau.org.ua

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The public press-center “Local elections-2010: facts, violations, trends” was created by NGOs monitoring and observing local elections: Committee of Voters of Ukraine, Civic network OPORA, Network for Support of Reform, Democratic Initiatives Foundation, Civic Assembly of Ukraine. The public press-center “Local elections-2010: facts, violations, trends” is organized by the Civic Assembly of Ukraine, with the support of the International Renaissance Foundation.