5/4/2002
Ukrainian Election Report Notes Progress But Says 'Could Do Better'

Sunday's parliamentary elections in Ukraine indicate progress towards international standards, but important flaws persist, the International Election Observation Mission said in a statement issued this week. The mission, charged with monitoring the Ukrainian poll, is composed mainly of Parliamentary delegations from pan-European bodies including the European Parliament and the Council of Europe. However, the observers declined to draw their final conclusions until all the post-election procedures are completed and the election results tabulated and certified. They announced that they would be returning to Ukraine for more consultations following the certification of results.

The election, held partly on a first past the post and partly on a proportional system, produced no clear winner. 'Our Ukraine,' the group led by former prime minister Viktor Yushchenko, secured the greatest number of seats in the 450 seat assembly, winning 112 compared to President Leonid Kuchma's 'United Ukraine' grouping, which won102.

Reports of election irregularities abounded, however, both during the campaign and the election itself. The international observers noted several shortcomings which, they reported, contributed to a general atmosphere of distrust and a low level of public confidence in the election process. These included abuse of administrative resources, interference by local authorities, shortcomings in the implementation of the new election legislation, and a campaign marred by the murder of two candidates and other isolated cases of violence, as well as allegations of intimidation and harassment against opposition candidates, activists and voters. In addition they found that virtually all media remained highly biased, and state-funded television gave disproportionate coverage to the pro-presidential candidates.

Despite this the observers were able to highlight some positive developments including a new and improved election law and an efficient central election administration. They also praised the broad spectrum of 33 parties and blocs with some 7,000 candidates standing for election. Candidates also received improved media access through TV debates, free air time and paid advertising.

"The transparency of the electoral process has been improved, but further effort is needed to boost public confidence in the outcome," said Ambassador Michael Wygant, the head of the long-term observation mission deployed by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights.

"The institutions represented in this joint mission are prepared to assist the authorities and civil society of Ukraine to overcome the remaining important challenges and to make further improvements towards meeting international standards," confirmed Jan M. Wiersma, President of the European Parliament Delegation to the EU-Ukraine Co-operation Committee.