EPDE observers continue monitoring the elections in Ukraine

Kyiv, 25th May, 15>00

International observers continue short-term monitoring of the presidential elections in Ukraine.

 As on 3 pm, 200 international observers have attended 679 polling stations in 9 Ukrainian regions. Mobile teams composed of two international observers and an observer from the civil network OPORA (Ukraine) will visit 1,500 PECs to ensure procedural compliance.

Members of election commissions have been generally friendly toward EPDE Mission observers. Only five cases of admission difficulties to the polling station have been recorded.

Turnout at polling stations is high with some are experiencing long lines.

It is worth noting that there have been no reports of gross violations. No cases gross violations such as ballot stuffing, voting in collusion with the commission, or bribery of voters have been reported.

The most frequent violation our observers noted is missing posters with information about the candidates on the site. 53 such cases were recorded.

At 27 polling stations campaign materials were seen at a distance closer than 50 meters from the building where voting takes place.

In 6 cases there was restriction on the relocation of observers at the polling station.

17 sites noted infringement of procedures for issuing bulletins. At 9 PECs the ability of observers to video record the proceedings was limited.

Since May 8, EPDE has been carrying out presidential election observation in Ukraine, which will be held on May 25, 2014. EPDE conducts long-term expert monitoring and short-term monitoring on the Election Day involving highly experienced observers mostly from Russia who have participated in more than one national mission in partnership with GOLOS, SONAR, Citizen Observer, Rosvybor, St. Petersburg Observers and other civic associations. The mission relies on partnership with Ukrainian EPDE members - Committee of Voters of Ukraine and Civil Society Network OPORA.   

The aim of the European Platform for Democratic Elections is to promote civil society election monitoring in Eastern Partnership countries and the Russian Federation and the development of democratic electoral processes.

International election observation of presidential elections in Ukraine in 2014 is carried out in order to provide objective assessment of the electoral procedures on behalf of the population of the country. This mission is a public initiative of civil society activists.  The mission is a non-political and non-governmental.