Elections Unanimously Declared Fair and Free by OPORA, CVU, and EPDE
Kyiv, 27th May: Today, three election observation missions from the Ukrainian NGO Committee of Voters of Ukraine (CVU), OPORA Network, and the European Platform for Democratic Elections (EPDE), presented their results of the Ukrainian presidential and local elections. Together, the three organizations deployed more than 6,000 independent elections observers across all Ukrainian regions.
The EPDE mission included 200 Russian citizen observers who worked in cooperation with OPORA observers in 9 Ukrainian regions. The EPDE mission was the only mission in Ukraine to include independent civil society observers from the Russian Federation.
Janusz Onyszkiewicz, former Minister of Defense, Poland, MEP, also took part.
Overall Evaluation:
OPORA, CVU and EPDE unanimously declare the Ukrainian Presidential elections as free, fair, and in accordance with international standards.
- With the exception of Luhansk and Donetsk regions, elections proceeded without any major violations.
- Despite delays in voting and long waits, turnout was high across Ukraine (60% in Ukraine according to OPORA).
- Elections are legitimate and reflect the will of the Ukrainian people.
Specifics from EPDE, OPORA, CVU, and Janusz Onyszkiewicz
Roman Udot, Senior Election Expert, European Platform for Democratic Elections (EPDE)
- Russian citizen observers of EPDE worked in partnership with OPORA observers on mobile teams.
- EPDE observers attended the opening of 82 polling stations, observed the voting process at 1,011 stations and were present at counting of votes at 67 sites.
- Observers recorded no major violations or tensions with the local population.
- Commission members and Ukrainian citizens were generally friendly toward EPDE/OPORA observers.
EPDE Interim Statement: English | Russian
Olha Aivazovska, Chairperson of the Board of Civil Network OPORA
- With the exception of Donetsk and Luhansk districts, campaigning was free and fair, and vote tabulation was transparent across Ukraine
- Kyiv: experienced long delays and procedural problems throughout Election Day due to parallel local and national elections and inadequate training of commission members.
- In the future, local and national elections should not take place at the same time. Commission members should be better trained in electoral procedures and organization.
OPORA reports:
Oleksandr Chernenko, Director General of all-Ukrainian NGO “Committee of Voters of Ukraine” (CVU)
- The elections clearly represent the will of the Ukrainian voters.
- These elections will bring back the democratic tradition of elections to Ukraine.
CVU reports:
Janusz Onyszkiewicz, former Minister of Defense, Poland, MEP
- The presence of Russian civil society observers was important, particularly in the absence of official Russian observers.
- Ukrainians clearly opted for European policy and integration. This is a clear message of the voice of the Ukrainian people
- Luhansk and Donetsk do not disqualify the results.
- There can be no doubts of the legitimacy of the elections.
For more information see:
www.cvu.org.ua
www.oporaua.org
www.epde.org