There is a loud scandal in connection with black PR technologies, used against main political players in Kirovohrad oblast - representatives of the United Opposition during the last month.
As the Civil Network OPORA informed before, leaflets, discrediting the Fatherland United Opposition and a candidate nominated from it—Andrei Tabalov (the Front for Change), were put up all over Kirovohrad (the center of single-member district #99) on the night of 19/20 and 27/28 July.
The leaflets were written on behalf of Valerii Kalchenko, head of the Fatherland All-Ukrainian Union oblast branch. The text of the first leaflet was written in order to specially make an illusion of conflict between members of the United Opposition Valerii Kalchenko (All-Ukrainian Union Fatherland) and Andrei Tabalov (Front for Change). After Valerii Kalchenko disproved the information, there was another black PR attack – the other leaflets were disseminated. Text in the second leaflets was seemingly positive, but contained hidden anti-propaganda against the young politician from the Front for Change.
Valerii Kalchenko, who is against the anti-agitation conflict, agreed to answer the main questions on this topic.
Valerii Mykhailovych, what is the main purpose of this black PR?
The main purpose - is to show that the opposition is not united: as if Mr. Kalchenko is dissatisfied with Andrei Tabalov as a candidate in single-member district #99. The second purpose - is to spread negative information about Andrei Tabalov. But where we can seek for negative attitude for Mr. Tabalov? In things that are not affordable for many people. Not everybody can study in foreign university – but Tabalov was studying, not everybody can give the land to Armenian enterprise – but Tabalov did... Another thing – is talking about the bad quality of bread which is baked on his enterprise. Therefore, negative description of our candidate is between the lines.
It seems that anti-propaganda is not only against you?
It is against the United Opposition as a whole and Andrei Tabalov in particular.
Who do you think benefits from such actions?
Pro-power party and a pro-power candidate. Who else can benefit from this? Everything is absolutely clear.
You have sent deputies appeals to the prosecutor's office, police, the SBU. What was the reaction?
There was no reaction yet. I have signed another five deputy appeals on Sunday. I appealed to Serhei Larin, giving him an article of the Law of Ukraine, according to which he must defend the honor and dignity of citizens. We appealed to the police once again, and emphasized (from Law of Ukraine "On the Police"), that they must solve crimes, prevent them, they must defend the honor and dignity of citizens, as well as protect the people's deputy. We appealed to the Minister of Internal Affairs with a complaint that the the regional Police is idle. Traditionally, we wrote to the prosecutor who supervises the police, and would have to demand more effective action. We have written and to the Security Service of Ukraine, as this is а part of the political process.
Have you received any answer from law enforcement bodies?
No, there was no answer yet.
Reference:
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 is carrying out a large-scale campaign of long- and short term observation, organizing 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 on observation results, including infographics and interactive maps.