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04.02.2010 14:55
Press office of President Victor Yushchenko
President's position on ammendments to Law on Election of President of Ukraine
At her today’s briefing Press Secretary of the President of Ukraine Irina Vannykova has informed the media on the position of President Victor Yushchenko on alterations to the Law of Ukraine on Elections of President of Ukraine, he had signed earlier:
"The President of Ukraine has repeatedly stressed that Ukraine should continue the tradition of civilized and peaceful forming of the authorities, that is when results of elections correspond solely with the will of citizens.
Any disruption of the elections must be prevented.
The President has consistently drawn attention to inadequacy of the Law on Election of President of Ukraine, which could provoke frauds during the electoral process. The Head of State had submitted his version of the Law on Elections of President and it was not supported. Now the situation is that the presidential elections are threatened by disruption. Therefore, Ukraine's President Victor Yushchenko has signed amendments to the Law on Election of President (approved by the Ukrainian Parliament), understanding its imperfection and to guarantee the right of every citizen to express his or her position on the Election Day in accordance with the Constitution.
In particular, the law provided possibilities of disrupting the election through the absence of election commission members at meetings on the voting day.
Because of the rule in the law that the quorum for commission’s meetings should be at least 2/3 (two thirds) of its members, there was a threat that polling stations would not open for voting due to intentional absence of commission members from each candidate.
Besides, delays in determining the election results were possible – due to refusal of representatives from one of the candidates in commissions to sign voting protocols.
Given these risks the President of Ukraine decided to sign the amendments to electoral legislation approved by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.
In particular, the amendments to the law provide mechanisms of reaction to lack of quorum at election commissions and protection of fair and transparent voting process. Therefore the citizens will be able to vote and the electoral commissions will be able to provide the election results.
On the other hand, signing this law, the President also takes into account the danger of attempts to prevent election commission members from access to polling stations; of this danger speak candidates’ representatives and law enforcement officials.
That is why the President of Ukraine has appealed to official observers and mass media with request to dedicate particular attention to ensuring free and unhindered participation of all members of electoral commissions in their meetings.
Law enforcement agencies should be reported on all violations immediately”.
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