On 20 June 2012 in Pervomaisk (Luhansk oblast), the police prevented representatives of Serhii Shakhov Charitable Foundation from establishing a playground in the residential area of Pervomaisk.

According to the police, the reason for intervention was absence of a permission for excavation works. However, Serhii Shakhov disproved this. Eight policemen, which arrived to a place of the future playground and hindered establishment of relevant constructions. The plot of land chosen for building playground was vacant with no green plantations. 

Residents of neighboring buildings immediately reacted on the police actions and publicly demanded to allow the establishment of the playground which they were waiting for a long time. In the result, after the intervention of Serhii Shakhov's lawyer and under the pressure of the citizens, the police allowed the establishment of the playground in Pervomaisk city.

Serhii Shakhov commented on the situation for OPORA observers: "Such incidents are not solitary. Local government do everything to prevent me and my representatives from communication with voters.  The reason is obvious, they take all measures to remove competitors of the Party of Regions in majoritarian districts on the elections to the Ukrainian parliament."

For comment, please contact:
Oleksii Kormiletskyi
Coordinator of electoral programs of the Civil Network OPORA
in Luhansk oblast
050 275 28 08
 
Detailed information:
Civic monitoring conducted by OPORA - is a type of network activity, aimed at impartial assessment of the preparation and conduct of elections, as well as preventing violations through comprehensive civic action. Professional monitoring at all stages of the election process indirectly influences the quality of the campaign. The public opinion, both foreign and domestic is formed through gathering and spreading of information among the target audience. From a strategic perspective public monitoring of elections focuses upon improving the system and certain procedures. In 2012, during Parliamentary elections in Ukraine OPORA implements a large-scale campaign of long- and short term observation, organizes a statistical vote-count by the results of voting with the proportional component of the electoral system on a basis of representative selection, will provide 100% coverage of polling stations by observers in separate single-mandate majoritarian districts. OPORA observers will work in all 225 electoral districts, and 3,500 activists will join them on the voting day. Organization will use the latest means of spreading information about observation results, including infographics and interactive maps.