The Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC), the representative body for the 1.1 million Canadians of Ukrainian descent, expresses its admiration for the people of Ukraine who in large numbers (over 75% of eligible voters) came to the voting polls on 31 October 2004 to take advantage of their hard-earned right to vote democratically in the Presidential elections and by this action to take control of their destiny.

Unfortunately, the UCC is forced to note with concern, that this right to vote has been compromised by the large numbers of irregularities during the election campaign and during the voting itself on Election Day. These serious and systemic problems negatively affect the Ukrainian people's ability to control their future and incorrectly reflect the true will of the electorate.

The 60 Ukrainian Canadian election observers currently in Ukraine report systemic breaches of Ukraine's election law by local officials who have not adequately guaranteed the rights of citizen's especially in the context of accurate voter's list. As well, there were cases in which UCC observers noted levels of pressure exercised on voters by people in authority (i.e. work-place supervisors, local elected officials, post-secondary institution administrators and instructors) during the voting, which are unacceptable in a democracy.

Persistent reports during the election campaign of misuse of government resources for overt political ends by certain forces as well as direct meddling in the expression of free speech through the mass media are true, concluded the UCC observers The campaign-style visit of the President of the Russian Federation to Ukraine in the days before the election is a gross deviation from accepted international norms.

Now that it is apparent that there will be a second round in the Presidential elections in Ukraine, the UCC calls on the Canadian government to lend its support to the people of Ukraine by any means possible in ensuring that this second round is free and transparent.

The UCC calls upon all sides in the upcoming second round of elections to show restraint and maturity by allowing the Ukrainian people the opportunity to express its will freely and democratically.

November 1, 2004