July 26, 2019

UCCA statement: Ukraine proves its commitment to democracy

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The statement below was released in Kyiv by the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America on July 22. The UCCA’s Election Observer Mission was headed by UCCA President Andriy Futey. UCCA Vice-President Michael Sawkiw Jr. served as deputy chair of the mission, and Tamara Olexy, former UCCA president and National Office director, served as mission coordinator. Long-time UCCA international election observer Reno Domenico was the UCCA’s chief observer. 

The Ukrainian Congress Committee of America’s (UCCA) International Election Observer Mission (EOM), which observed the elections in every region of Ukraine, as well as at the diplomatic posts in the United States – affirms that the July 21 parliamentary elections met international standards for free and fair elections that accurately reflects the will of the electorate.  

The UCCA’s short-term observers were its primary resource for assessing the July 21 snap parliamentary elections. Its election observation methodology, which provides for a contribution by each observer, is designed to achieve an overall picture of Ukraine’s election-day proceedings. After reviewing the UCCA’s one-of-a-kind electronic questionnaire that provides an overall profile of polling-station activity throughout the country and at diplomatic posts, we were able to draw our conclusion based on our collective experience. 

In visiting over 150 polling stations on election day, the UCCA’s EOM witnessed the following minor infractions: the inability of a few PECs [Precinct Electoral Commissions] to open the polling station at 8 a.m. as required by law and in a few precincts information displayed for the voters was not correct or complete. And, as reported in all of the UCCA’s previous election observation missions, physical access to the polling stations remains problematic. UCCA observers noted that over 13 percent of the time, access to the polling stations was difficult. 

Thus, despite the minor infractions reported, which were not systemic in nature, the UCCA’s 32 registered international election observers reported that the voting process was conducted in a peaceful and democratic manner that conformed to international democratic standards – rating the elections good to very good 93 percent of the time. 

Moreover, although only 49.84 percent of the electorate voiced their vote, down considerably from the over 62 percent of the electorate that cast their ballots during the recent presidential elections, Ukraine’s electorate has proven that they take their democratic civic duty seriously.

The 2019 snap parliamentary elections marked an important step in consolidating Ukraine’s democracy. Given that these elections took place in a challenging political and security environment, the CEC [Central Elections Commission] made every effort to hold elections throughout the country. However, due to the illegal annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation, and the ongoing hostilities in the Donbas, fueled by Russia, the elections were not held in large parts of Donetsk and Luhansk and in the illegally occupied Crimean peninsula.

The UCCA lauds Ukraine’s Central Elections Commission’s impartial and efficient efforts to mobilize in such a short period of time, ensuring that the July 21 snap parliamentary elections took place. 

The UCCA stands with the people of Ukraine in their desire for a democratic, territorial whole and united Ukraine and wishes the newly elected Parliament the fortitude to put the interests of its citizens first and pass key reforms to secure its territorial integrity, strengthen democracy, fight imbedded corruption and bring Ukraine closer to the Euro-Atlantic community.

Lastly, the UCCA expresses its sincere gratitude to its international election observers, many of whom for the third time this year volunteered their time and money to participate as members of our Election Observation Mission – their commitment to democracy and Ukraine must be commended.

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