On November 18, 2013 in UNIAN IA (Kyiv city, 4 Khreshchatyk St.), Civil Network OPORA will hold a press-conference, during which the organization will present interim report on the results of election observation campaign started a month ago to watch re-election in 5 problematic districts #94, 132, 194, 197, and 223.

The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine doesn't fully attract citizens to the state governance. OPORA made such conclusions after investigation of committee and parliamentary hearings, which are the main instrument to advise with the people. Since the Verkhovna Rada started functioning, 59 events were held. According to the Apparatus of the Verkhovna Rada, 18 committees conducted only 30 meetings. 11 committees didn't attract the public to legislative process at all. The Committee on Agrarian P...

During two plenary days, MPs were trying to compromise on Yuliia Tymoshenko's treatment abroad and adoption of EU-integration laws – regarding public prosecutor's office and amendments to electoral legislation. In result, two draft laws were adopted as the basis. Tymoshenko's fate can be determined on the special sitting of the Verkhovna Rada, which may be held on the next week. (Reporting)

The launch of campaign for re-election in five districts is quite peaceful, without serious conflicts among candidates. During the reporting period, OPORA observers haven't noticed any violations of electoral legislation, which could have influence on voting results.

During the reporting period, OPORA observers haven't noticed any violations of electoral legislation, which could have influence on voting results. Election campaign in 5 single-mandate majoritarian districts is quite peaceful and slow. The reason is, the registration of candidates will end on November 19 and not all the candidates have officially started the race. Such tendency is contrary to those observed during the regular Parliamentary elections in 2012, when the most influential pol...

In October 2013, MPs of Ukraine have drafted 335 bills and resolutions. As for the considered issues, the majority of normative acts do not pertain directly to fulfillment of Ukraine's engagements to signing the Association Agreement. The lion's share of documents are aimed to solve political interests of parties, or implement programs of factions and individual MPs. Civil Network OPORA continues to watch and analyze law-making activities of MPs of Ukraine of VII convocation.

Civil Network OPORA is calling for the Committees of the Verkhovna Rada to take measures and improve the promulgation of socially important information on their sites till December 31, 2013. One of key challenges on the way to the establishment of democratic governance practices and European standards of political culture in Ukraine is the ability to secure transparency of government bodies. Transparency of government bodies includes promulgation of information about activities of VRU commi...

26 VRU committees have conducted 293 meetings during two sessions of the Parliament (information received on 10/1/2013). Almost one fourth part of them, particularly 71 meetings (24.4 %), were delayed or not announced. 222 meetings were conducted according to the schedule. Representatives of 3 committees refused to give minutes of their meetings to OPORA, what is a gross violation of the Law on Access to Public Information. These committees are: Committee on Agrarian Policy and Land Relations...