Ukrainian Election Law Prompts International Concern
August 16, 2010
By: Benjamin Russell and Randi Zung

According to the Financial Times, the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and the International Republican Institute’s (IRI) Ukrainian offices will condemn President Viktor Yanukovich, later this week, for approving a new electoral law that the organizations say “unfairly undermines the chances of opposition parties.”  Both NDI and IRI state that the country’s upcoming legislative elections in October 2010 will be a “step back” for the country’s democracy.

NDI and IRI have been working in the Ukraine since the Orange Revolution, the 2004 uprising that brought democracy to the country.  In 2004, Yanukovich attempted to rig the country’s presidential election in his favor, and as a result incited widespread rioting and the eventual election of Viktor Tamushenko.  Following the country’s latest presidential election in January and February 2010, Yanukovich made an unlikely political comeback by winning presidential office.  During the months that he has been in power, critics have expressed worry that he is leading the country away from democracy. 

Earlier this month, Yanukovich approved changes to the electoral system that significantly limit opposition parties’ room to move and even participate in elections.  Under the new law, only regional and local party branches that were registered more than one year prior to the election date are qualified to participate in the local election.   According to the Kyiv Post, the provision will “have a substantive and disproportionate effect on parties that are newer but have established popular bases.” 

Separate provisions may also have negative effects on Ukraine’s political process; according to the Financial Times, changes could increase partisanship in local elections, reduce voter access to information and hinder domestic observation processes.  A statement from NDI and IRI, obtained by the Financial Times, says that the “restrictions on new parties and independent candidates appear to be unreasonable in light of principles established by the Ukrainian constitution, as well as international obligations and commitments that Ukraine has undertaken.”

The law is not the first step to be taken against opposition parties.  The Financial Times also reported that “opposition parties claim that their leaders and associates have faced increasing political persecution. Three high-level officials that served last year in the government of Yulia Tymoshenko, now an opposition leader, have been jailed on corruption charges. On Wednesday, Ms Tymoshenko’s party headquarters on the Crimean peninsula was raided by secret service agents.”

For previous news on Ukraine, please see: http://ccd21.org/news/europe/ukraine_coalition_formed.html

Sources:
Kyiv Post - U.S. institutes: Ukraine's new election law step backwards for democracy

Financial Times – US Parties to Censure Ukraine’s Yanukovich

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