Kyiv, Ukraine - Ukrainians went to the polls on Sunday, February 7, to elect the next leader of their country. The Election Observation Mission (EOM) of the Canada Ukraine Foundation (CUF), in association with the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC), deployed 65 experienced and trained Canadian election observers in 6 oblasts (regionals) for the First Round of the Presidential Elections. On February 1st, CUF deployed a further 50 observers, in 6 oblasts which were chosen in cooperation with the CANADEM Observer Group, so that 24 of the 25 oblasts, plus Kyiv and Sevastopol, were covered by Canadian international observers. In addition, a substantial number of experienced CUF observers were part of the 200 person CANADEM observer delegation.
Observer Gerard Kennedy MP (Parkdale-High Park) at polling station, Feb. 7. Photo by Natalia Toroshenko
On balance, in the oblasts under observation, there was an adequate attempt to meet internationally accepted standards for free and fair elections. However there remains an overriding concern that the institutionalization of free and fair elections requires a greater exercise of political will at the highest levels.
The EOM noted drawbacks and made several recommendations, contained in the Preliminary Observation Report presented in Kyiv on Feb. 9. The highlights include:
- It is disappointing to find that the Central Election Commission did not register or accredit a single observer from Georgia for the Second Round, despite various attempts by the Georgian EOM to register their observers
- If Ukraine wishes to build a strong civil society, and strong and durable democratic institutions that have the respect of the citizenry, it is very important to maintain the right of civil society organizations to monitor presidential elections as an important safeguard for the transparency of the election process
- CUF recommends the creation of a permanent election civil service at the district and local election committee level. It is our recommendation that Ukraine reform its election laws and process and address the partisan nature of the election commissions at the national, district and local levels.
- An additional item of electoral reform must be the financing of elections. It is commonly known that the current Presidential elections cost each side over $500 million. As recommended by some members of the European Parliament, Ukraine should bring forward a set of legislative amendments to limit the amount of spending by any candidates to a predetermined, more modest maximum level.
To view complete Preliminary Report click here: EOM 2010-Preliminary Report
The Canada-Ukraine Foundation (CUF) is a Canadian charitable foundation established by theUkrainian Canadian Congress to coordinate, develop, organize and deliver assistance projects generated by Canadians and directed to Ukraine. CUF has organized and lead several internationally-acclaimed election observation missions to Ukraine, earning the highest award available to a Canadian civic organization – the Certificate of Commendation – bestowed by the Governor General of Canada in 2005.
The Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) brings together under one umbrella all the national, provincial and local Ukrainian Canadian organization throughout Canada. Together with its member organizations, the UCC has been leading, coordinating and representing the interests of one of
Canada’s largest ethnic communities (1.2 million) for almost 70 years.
CUF, in association with UCC, established its 2010 Election Observation Mission (EOM) in August 2009 and reviewed and commented on the Law on the Election of the President of Ukraine (“the Election Law”) to the Speaker of Parliament, the President’s Administration and the Cabinet of Ministers. The Verkhovna Rada chose not to make any changes based on the 22 Recommendations made by the CUF/UCC expert panel on the Election Law.
