25 May 2014
MEDIA RELEASE
Ukrainian World Congress International Election Observation Mission: Elections in Ukraine progressing without major violations
As of 14:00 on 25 May 2014 the Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) International Election Observation Mission notes that voter turnout in electoral districts is high and that the elections are progressing in accordance with international democratic election standards.
At this point in the election the following infractions have been observed:
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campaign advertising for individual candidates in various areas of Ukraine (billboards, city lights, etc.) and incidents of campaigning at polling stations; -
the delayed opening of some polling stations, specifically in Kyiv, Kharkiv, Mykolayiv and Kherson; -
unsealed ballot boxes; and -
incidents of interruptions in the work of regional electoral commissions due to mix-ups with ballots for the Presidential vote and the mayoral vote, including the regions of Kyiv and Odesa.
The UWC Mission draws particular attention to the voting process in the city of Kyiv which is complicated due to the simultaneous election of the mayor and city council. Long lines have been observed at polling stations, some numbering 200-400 people.
“Notwithstanding the threats and challenges that have been looming over these early Presidential Elections in Ukraine, we are witnessing a huge turnout of the electorate. The elections are progressing transparently and democratically. The violations, which have been noted thus far by UWC observers, do not have any substantial effect on the results of the voting,” informed UWC Chief Observer Peter Sztyk.
The UWC Mission is also monitoring the vote in polling stations outside Ukraine. Over 475,000 Ukrainians registered to vote throughout 75 countries and 114 polling stations.
The early Presidential Elections in Ukraine have resulted in significant participation of the citizens of Ukraine living in the diaspora. In many countries voters are waiting in long lines, particularly in Madrid where voters are waiting for close to three hours to cast their vote.
The UWC Mission includes 236 international observers from 22 countries and is the third largest mission to the early 2014 Presidential Elections in Ukraine. The majority of the observers have Ukrainian election monitoring experience. The UWC Mission is monitoring the electoral process in 21 oblasts of Ukraine.
The UWC Mission will release its next report at 18:00.
On 26 May 2014 at 9:30 the UWC Mission will hold a press conference at the UNIAN Information Agency to announce the results of the its observations.
Contact information in Kyiv:
Oleksiy Zakharchenko
6 Muzeinyi provulok, Room 106
Kyiv, Ukraine
Tel: +38(097) 5102303
E-mail: [email protected]
