The results of the research commissioned by the Council of Europe in 2017 proved the necessity to provide further support to national authorities and civil society to improve electoral practice in Ukraine, specifically, with due regard to the upcoming Presidential and Parliamentary elections. 68% of Ukrainians are still dissatisfied with the integrity of the election process. Only 14% of Ukrainians know about criminal liability for voters who sell their votes, and only 18% of Ukrainians have heard about cases of bringing those who violated election law to justice.
On 11 April 2018, the Government of Ukraine approved the draft law amending certain legislative acts to enhance accountability for electoral violations for its further submission and consideration in the Parliament of Ukraine.
The draft law was developed by the Ministry of Interior of Ukraine in synergy with civil society experts. This legislative development goes in line with the Council of Europe’s action within the framework of Action Plan for Ukraine 2015 – 2017, as the cooperation of national law-enforcement authorities and civil society experts on current legislative amendments was inter alia inspired during inclusive and participatory discussion taken place in December 2016 and organized by the Council of Europe in cooperation with the Ministry of Interior of Ukraine, Prosecutor General’s Office of Ukraine and NGO “Civil Network “OPORA”.
The Division on Electoral Assistance provided its support aimed at more efficient accountability mechanisms for electoral violations in Ukraine since 2015. Around 42 round tables were held for over 450 regional law enforcement officers and civil society observers. A research and analysis aimed at assessment of the effectiveness of existing accountability mechanisms for electoral violations in Ukraine was conducted upon the results of 2015 local elections.
Further support to the transparency, inclusiveness and integrity of electoral practice in Ukraine will be provided by the Council of Europe within the framework of its Action Plan for Ukraine 2018-2021.
