On 5 October 2017, the process of candidate registration for the first local elections in united territorial communities has finished. 25 of 201 territorial communities, which will elect local self-government bodies, are cities (of raion significance). The biggest number of mayoral candidates was nominated by local cells of Petro Poroshenko Bloc (14 cities), AUU Batkivshchyna (13 cities), and AUU Svoboda (12 cities.

An effective appeal system guarantees democratic elections.

On 25-26 September, the Personal Democracy Forum was held in Kyiv. It is an annual conference taking place in multiple cities worldwide that brings together top technologists, campaigners, government officials, journalists, and academics for two days of game-changing talks, workshops, and networking opportunities on civic tech challenges.

The number of election law violations, committed during the formation of election commissions and their first meetings, was not high, according to the Civil Network OPORA. At the same time, the lack of coordination between the Law of Ukraine on Local Elections and other laws of Ukraine caused complications in a number of important procedures.

We have noticed that majoritarian MPs tend to work inconsistently in their electoral districts. While most of the monitored MPs fulfill their duties in constituencies, the needs of the latter are barely delivered to the Parliament. Thus, 28% didn't conduct any public receptions in their districts, and only 34% of draft laws concern constituency issues. These problems were referred to by representatives of Civil Network OPORA on 6 September conference.

The draft law #6240 gives all the mechanisms to prevent any abuses committed by candidates of political parties on this election or any future one. This was discussed on 15 September press breakfast, organized by the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), in cooperation with Civil Network OPORA and the Hrupa Vplyvu Civil Holding.

On 9 September, the election process in 201 united territorial communities has started. Thus, election of city heads and councilors will be held on 29 October.

The Central Election Commission gave Civil Network OPORA All-Ukrainian NGO a permit to deploy official observers during the first local elections in 201 united territorial communities, scheduled for 29 October 2017.