Representative of the Civil Network OPORA interviewed the single member district candidate Anastasia Staroskoltseva. During the interview the candidate talks about her intentions, aims, prediction and the character of campaign.
Staroskoltseva Anastasia Oleksandrivna is nominated as a candidate for People's Deputy of Ukraine in single member constituency #27 from the All-Ukrainian Union Fatherland.
The voting district #27 includes Zhovten rayon of Dnipropetrovsk oblast and Dnipropetrovsk city.
Here is the information about the candidate, which was posted on the official website of the Central Election Commission:
"The candidate was born on April 30,1982 in Dnipropetrovsk city, is a citizen of Ukraine and during the last five years permanently lives on the territory of Ukraine, has higher education; she is the Vice-President of PR department at Dnipropetrovsk oblast department of National Olympic Committee of Ukraine, she is non-party candidate, lives in Dnipropetrovsk city, has no criminal records, and is nominated by the All-Ukrainian Union Fatherland party."
Short Biography
Ukrainian. Was born in Dnipropetrovsk in the family of actors. Finished the high school #71.
After graduating from the Department of Systems and means of communication, received MA diploma.
Started working right after school. Commenced from the small TV projects on the issues of: ecology, agrarian policy and culture.
In 2002, after accomplishing an internship at TV channel Inter in Kyiv, she tried herself in creation of local news at 34 TV channel. She continued her career at TV channel 9, where she was working both as a journalist and a TV presenter of the daily information program.
In 2007 she became the Head of creative union "Tema dnia" ("Theme of the day") at TV channel 51. Together with a group of initiative and creative people she created a number of analytical projects, in the framework of which the most crucial problems of Dnipropentrovsk region were discussed. The politicians of All-Ukrainian level were invited to take part in the live programs: O. Moroz, A. Yatseniuk, N. Shufrich, Y. Yekhanurov, V. Yatsuba, A. Kinakh, V. Semeniuk-Samsonenko, A. Hrytsenko, L. Orobets, V. Kyrylenko, V. Lytvyn, and others.
She took active part in the social and political life of Dnipropetrovsk.
Few years she was the Head of Independent Media Trade Union.
In 2009 she created an original project "Miezhdu strok" ("Between the lines"), aiming at shedding the light on the real life in Dnipropetrovsk city.
For significant contribution to the development of information space of our country, for high-class workmanship, and significant labor achievements she was awarded with honorary diplomas and acknowledgments by the State committee for television and radio broadcasting of Ukraine, the Head of oblast council and the Mayor of Dnipropetrovsk city.
Since 2011 she is the Head of the women's department of oblast organization of the Front of Change party. Since the beginning of this year she is the Vice-President of PR department at Dnipropetrovsk oblast department of National Olympic Committee of Ukraine.
Why did you decide to become a parliamentary candidate?
I was born and raised in the voting district, which I am going to represent. I perfectly know what kind of problems have the citizens of Dnipropetrovsk because I also live in an ordinary multi-storied house, on the 11th floor (the elevator does not work, the garbage is not cleaned, the utility rates are for sky-high prices, there is no light and good roads). These are local problems. But everything starts from the top and the problems, which exist in the utility service, in the sphere of health care and education, cannot be solved here on the local level.
Dnipropetrovsk region has lost its positions in the state politics long ago.There are almost no fellow countrymen in the lists of the leading political parties, who are likely to get to the Parliament. And those who get there from Dnipropetrovsk region, unfortunately, very quickly forget about those people, who trusted them.
The situation should be changed - the representation of Dnipropetrovsk region should be strong and of high quality. As part of my job I was communicating a lot with the officials and deputies of different levels. Unfortunately, I saw the wide scale of corruption from within, I saw how dishonest the politicians and authorities are. I am young and enthusiastic person.
I want changes and I know they can be achieved. I want democracy to come back toUkraine. I want to uncover the honest government, freedom of speech, and justice for the average Ukrainian citizen. I wantUkraineto become a part of the European Union. I want Russia and the US to respect us. I want to overcome the corruption, to make the courts work for people and not for oligarchy and government. I want people to be able to run their own business and not to suffer from exactions and fraud. I want to decrease the number of controlling bodies. I want to live in the country, where kindness, happiness and understanding are everywhere, where the people smile at each other.
Are you going to have a separate election office?
No.
Are you going to create your public reception room for the citizens?
Yes.
How would you evaluate your opponents in the district? What chances do you have?
The Party of Regions - Oleksandr Momot is the Head of Prydniprovia railway. He has a lot of money and very big administrative resource. The current government will do everything to help him to win.
The Communist Party of Ukraine- there is information that they will either not run for elections at all or they will have a technical candidate (30-years-old woman, working at one of the chairs of the Medical Academy).
The UDAR party - unfamiliar candidate. Korolevska and others - hard to define.
I am sure that I will gain the victory.
What kind of campaign do you plan?
“From door to door” campaign I will not have the possibility to appear in media or use the external advertising. Thus, the main thing is to talk to everyone.
According to your point of view, what are the most crucial problems of your district?
Firstly, there are problems with utilities (the condition of communications, the quality of potable water, utility tariffs, etc.).
Secondly, the ecological problems (Prydniprovia hydroelectric power station).
In general people are worried about the salaries, pensions, prices on food, and future of their children, etc.
What will you do if you lose?
I will work in the district, be a civil activist and control the activity of the People's Deputies.
What are you predictions regarding the voter turnout?
50%
Do you consider civil observation at the polling stations to be important?
- Yes.
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 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 on observation results, including infographics and interactive maps.