Representatives of the National Police of Ukraine in Luhansk oblast have registered 5 probable violations of electoral legislation since the beginning of the election process. This was reported by OPORA's representatives from Luhansk Oblast based on their own information and with reference to the spokeswoman of the Main Department of the National Police in Luhansk Oblast Tetiana Pohukai.

Thus, OPORA's observers witnessed in the city of Kreminna two cases of organized transportation of residents from different cities within the oblast to re-register them in the State Voter Register Maintenance Body in Kreminna. People got off the buses and went to the territorial department of state voter register, where they announced their intention to change their election addresses, OPORA's observer informed. However, people refused to answer questions of OPORA's observers about why they came here and apply to the state institution. Police arrived at the scene. The Head of Communications Department at the Main National Police Department (MNPD) in Luhansk Oblast Tetiana Pohukai commented on the situation: "These actions were classified by police officers as "providing false information to the State Voter Register maintenance body or falsification of electoral documents, referendum documents, voting results, or the data of State Voter Register", under Article 158 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.”

Journalist of the IRTA TV channel posted on Facebook a video from the scene.

As for another incident, a citizen of Novoaidar raion reported the placement of billboard by a representative of local authorities. He believes it's a hidden political advertising. According to OPORA's sources, this fact concerns the placement of a billboard with the image of Novoaydar Settlement Head Ihor Shopin (according to the Internet service "clarity-project.info", he is a board member at the European Solidarity's local party cell). The billboard greets on the Independence Day of Ukraine and was made at the expense of Ihor Shopin.

One more incident occurred in the Belovodsk raion of Luhansk oblast. Thus, police officers documented the distribution of sugar with campaign slogans on the package calling to vote for one of the political forces.

At Novoakhtyrka checkpoint, for its part, a car was detected carrying political advertising products belonging to a political party. A resident of Zaporizhia oblast was the driver.

Tetiana Pohukay informed OPORA's representative over a phone that “Police is investigating the facts. Based on the results, we will take a decision in line with current legislation."

According to Civil Network OPORA's Election Observation Coordinator in Luhansk Oblast Oleksii Kormiletskyi, such activities in the first days of election process that may be classified as electoral violations have been reported for the first time over the recent years. “These were usually cases related to violations of campaign rules. At the same time, detection of such situations at early stages of the election campaign gives hope for a more honest race. ” - He emphasized.

 

For comment, please contact:

Oleksii Kormiletskyi, Election Observation Coordinator at Civil Network OPORA in Luhansk oblast

tel.: 0502752808

e-mail: [email protected]

 

Reference: OPORA's observation is aimed to provide impartial assessment of election administration and process, facilitate free and fair election, and prevent violations. Civil Network OPORA has been realizing a wide-scale observation of regular local elections, to be held on October 25. We have deployed 188 observers nationwide, and short-term observers will join them on the Election Day. OPORA also monitors the use of budget resources for indirect campaigning, and civic ombudsmen inspect polling premises in terms of accessibility, as well as protect voting rights of citizens.