From 2 to 4 May 2017, the representatives of the Central Election Commission of Ukraine (CEC) participated in a study visit to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, taking the opportunity also to observer some local election procedures.

The main objective of the study visit was to explore regulations and procedures related to the conduct of local elections in the United Kingdom, including the practical observation at some polling stations during the local elections scheduled on 4 May, 2017.

The CEC representatives met and exchanged the experience and good practices in organization and conduct of elections, development of electoral legislation and standards with the representatives of the UK Electoral Commission, Cabinet Office, and Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority. Among the issues discussed and exchanged were also the issues of control over pre-election campaign and political parties financing, as well as mechanisms for prevention and accountability for electoral violations. Respective meetings and exchanges were also made with the representatives of the Crown Prosecution Service and the UK National Police.

The bilateral meetings were followed by the visit to some polling stations in Essex County on 4 May 2017.

The study visit was organized within the framework of the Council of Europe project “Reform of the electoral practice in Ukraine”.