11 mayoral candidates have been actively campaigning on the final stage of election campaign. Self-nominated candidate Yurii Vilkul has the most active in his campaigning efforts. He participated in meetings with labor groups as a City Mayor, used outdoor advertising, TV and radio ads, and printed campaign materials disseminated from rented tents. The second active candidate is Semen Semenchenko ‑(Samopomich Union). Mykola Kolesnyk (Ukrainian Union of Patriots – ‑UKROP) and Inna Ivanchenko (self-nominated) share the third place. Almost all the candidates place political advertising on outdoor advertising means in all districts of Kryvyi Rih. Semen Semenchenko and self-nominated candidates Inna Ivanchenko and Oleksandr Kryzhov used vehicle advertising. Semen Semenchenko and Mykola Kolesnyk appeared on local TV and radio programs. Svitlana Sova (Syla Liudei) and Oleh Boichenko (self-nominated candidate) are actively using social networks for campaigning purposes. A number of candidates conduct direct meetings with the voters quite often.
However, 4 candidates haven't demonstrated any apparent interest to election campaigning (self-nominated candidates Nataliia Novytska, Yaroslav Shram, Oleksii Kryvenko and Vasyl Serdiukov).
“At the same time, the problem of nontransparent campaign financing is aggravated by widespread billboards and citylights with slogans 'Either we elect the mayor, or they seize the city', 'Stop outrage – elect mayor in the first round', which are similar to campaign slogans of Yurii Vilkul (self-nominated)”, ‑ thinks Oleksandr Kliuzhev, Analyst at the Civil Network OPORA.
OPORA continues recording violations of election campaigning rules, established by the Law. For example, Yurii Vilkul's political advertising on taxi; stickers, styled similarly to campaign materials of Mykola Kolesnyk, placed in forbidden places; dissemination of campaign materials with signs of black PR and unauthentic or unverified information (leaflets with slogans 'Samopomich and Semenchenko against Vilkul's mafia' and 'Let's destroy Vilkulov's mafia', leaflets with provocative information about candidate Mykola Kolesnyk, biased information materials in the certain mass media); opinion poll results in the media, published not in accordance with law requirements; participation of public officials in campaigning efforts. Local assistance program providing one-time 500 UAH payment, which is being advertised as initiative of current Mayor and candidate Yurii Vilkul, remains a significant factor influencing the election campaign. “Yurii Vilkul is still using the benefits of combining official duties and campaign efforts. Such problems with securing equal rights and opportunities in the election process raise the topicality of reforming electoral legislation regulating campaigning activities of candidates who hold public offices”, ‑ stated Olha Aivazovska, Electoral and Parliamentary Programs Coordinator at Civil Network OPORA.
As for publication of information about campaign financing, it should be mentioned that only ten of fifteen candidates for mayor of Kryvyi Rih have promulgated their campaign funds. Eight of them submitted interim financial reports on receipt and use of funds. The total amount of funds on campaign accounts of candidates, who have timely submitted interim financial reports is 1 million 992 thousand 456 UAH. Yurii Vilkul has the highest amount of funds on his campaign account, and Oleh Boichenko has the lowest‑ amount. Campaign accounts of Yurii Vilkul, Semen Semenchenko and Mykola Kolesnyk were almost on 100% filled by voluntary donations from natural persons. Funds on campaign account of Svitlana Sova were received from local cell of her party. Inna Ivanchenko and Oleh Boichenko filled campaign accounts completely with their own money. Campaign account of Ihor Levytskyi contains 60% of voluntary donations from natural persons, and 40% of funds from candidate. Candidates spent 1 million 925 thousand 524 UAH.
After rotations in the City Election Commission resulting in lots of new members at TECs, the document circulation was quite complicated, as well as preparation of draft decisions. At the same time, political motives in activities of TEC members became more apparent. There were 3 court challenges against decisions of Kryvyi Rih City Election Commission. One of them concerned satisfaction of a complaint filed by an official observer against actions of the Head of Ternivskyi District Election Commission, and was canceled by the court. OPORA is convinced that such decision of the court restricts observation efforts and hinders detection of electoral violations committed at election commission level at all stages of the election process. Kryvyi Rih City Election Commission provided forms of PEC protocols and 520,539 ballot papers to city district election commissions. There are 2,110 official observers from mayoral candidates and non-governmental organizations. 8 of 15 candidates used their right to have official observers. Mykola Kolesnyk‑, Semen Semenchenko‑ and Svitlana Sova‑ have highest number of observers – 349, 317 and 218 respectively.
According to observation results, solitary violations of electoral legislation were noticed in activities of precinct election commissions (PECs). For example, PEC Head at polling station #121495 took a seal outside of the polling station. At a special polling station #121609, located in a hospital, an employee of this hospital was included in membership of the corresponding PEC. Since formation of 293 election commissions, around 300 commission members have been substituted. PEC members ‑who were nominated by heads of city district election commissions were substituted the most often. As for the candidates for Kryvyi Rih city mayor, Mykola Kolesnyk (30), Oleksandr Natarov (24), Oleh Boichenko (23) and Yaroslav Shram (21), made the highest number of substitutions. Local cell of the Samopomich Union substituted 32 PEC members. However, there are no hazards resulting from such changes in membership of PECs.PECs at special polling stations prepared voter lists on time, and all PECs delivered personal invitations on time.
We would like to remind that on 27-28 March, the latest information about election day and vote count in early mayoral election in Kryvyi Rih will be available at public press-center of Civil Network OPORA (Kryvyi Rih, 40 Metalurhiv Ave).
For comment, please contact: Olha Aivazovska, 063 617 97 50.
Reference: Civil Network OPORA conducts citizen observation of early mayoral election in Kryvyi Rih, scheduled for 27 March 2016. 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. A team of 5 observers have been working in the city since 6 February, and a group of short-term observers will join them on the election day to cover the third part of election precincts in Kryvyi Rih.