During the Presidential elections in Donetsk oblast terrorist groups and unlawful paramilitary units deprived up to 81,8% form the general number of voters who live in the region of their right to vote.
This information came from the observers of the joint monitoring campaign of the Committee of Voters of Ukraine and the Civil Network OPORA in Donetsk.
Approximate number of voters in Donetsk oblast constitutes 3,3 million of people. Only 599 thousand of voters out of this number (18,2% from the general number of voters) live in the cities and rayons of Donetsk oblast, where the elections took place. It means that at the polling stations closed by the paramilitaries of the "People Republic of Donetsk" 2,7 million of voters could not vote. And this constitutes 81,8% of the general numberr of voters in oblast.
Serhii Tkachenko, the Head of the Board of the Committee of Voters of Ukraine: "In this situation I recollect the worlds of John Chrysostom: "God is not only accepts the deed but also kisses the intentions". The good will always win."
It is known that the militants of the "People Republic of Donetsk" blocked the voting process in the biggest cities of Donetsk oblast, where lives the majority of voters.
Namely, 23 cities and 6 rayons were totally deprived of their right to vote.
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 electoral violations through comprehensive civic action.
Since March, OPORA conducts a wide observation campaign during snap Presidential election, interim Parliamentary elections (district #83), and special local elections.
The organization cooperates with 175 long-term observers, who are watching the course of election campaign in all Ukrainian regions.
On the Election Day on May 25, 3,000 activists will join them to conduct the parallel vote tabulation, based on statistical sample.
In Donetsk oblast the civic observation of the Presidential election process is conducted by the oblast office of the Committee of Voters of Ukraine.