Candidates for members of the Central Election Commission want to change the ideology of the CEC, increase its openness and transparency, and improve electoral legislation. These motives for employment in the Central Election Commission were presented by candidates from parliamentary factions and groups of MPs during the public discussion “New Quality of the CEC”, held by the Civil Network OPORA on February 7.
According to the Electoral and Parliamentary Programs Coordinator at Civil Network OPORA Olha Aivazovska, the people wanted to know who are those candidates for members of the Central Election Commission, submitted by the President, how well are they qualified and whether they will be more open and transparent.
The candidate from the “Vidrodzhennia Party” group of MPs Alla Basalaieva has shared her experience in representation of CEC's interests in court. According to her, she was directly involved in the preparation of election administration. The candidate is now a postgraduate student and writes her thesis on the topic of elections.
“I believe that holding a position of CEC member, I will make efforts together with my colleagues to restore public trust in the Central Election Commission. The leader of “Vidrodzhennia” group Viktor Bondar has recommended me. We worked together during the elections, when he was directly participating in the preparation of election administration. He recommended me and the faction supported my candidacy,” — Ms. Basalaieva told.
Nominee of the People's Front Natalia Bernatska told that her first position was related to the representation in European Court of Human Rights. She also mentioned that the first challenge was a lawsuit against the Russian Federation concerning annexation of the Crimea.
“After the 4 years in the Government, I see that the biggest problem in all spheres of reforming is the quality of the current state authorities. It's important that the next elections are held under new standards. The main goal of my work is the highest possible level of transparency in activities of the Central Election Commission,” — Ms. Bernatska added.
Representative of the AUU Batkivshchyna Andrii Yevstihnieiev, according to him, participated in all elections. For example, he gave lectures to members of election commissions and observers. He is also an author and co-author of the certain number of bills.
“A new but very interesting challenge from the professional view, from the standpoint of a citizen. Services that the CEC provides, particularly guaranteeing legal and transparent elections, are extremely important for Ukraine, if we want not formal but implemented new qualities and integration into European community,” — Mr. Yevstihnieiev added.
According to Svitlana Kustova, who was nominated by the Petro Poroshenko Bloc, she has been talking about her desire to work in the Central Election Commission and change its ideology since 2006.
“I protected the interests of not only PPB representatives, but also of many independent candidates. I think that when there was a question concerning candidates to the Central Election Commission, my candidacy had emerged by itself, because everyone knows I want to work in the CEC and change its ideology,” — Ms. Kustova told.
Candidate Olha Lotiuk (Petro Poroshenko Bloc faction) has mentioned that all public relations, which concern election administration, are related to the peculiarities of her activities.
“I believe that my qualification and knowledge allow me to understand those issues, including activities of the Central Election Commission. It is a challenge for me in practice, but a very positive challenge. My colleagues know that I strive to consolidate the rule of law in our country,” —she said on the presentation.
Elections and electoral legislation is also not new topic for the candidate Valerii Plukar, nominated by the Petro Poroshenko Bloc.
“I have been working in the secretariat of the Central Election Commission, in legal department, for 4 years. I was providing legal services in courts with the Central Election Commission participating. Probably, my candidacy was considered because my practical skills can be fulfilled there on the highest level possible,” — the candidate told.
Candidate Yevhen Radchenko from the Samopomich has been into electoral matters since 1994. He worked at the Committee of Voters of Ukraine and as Electoral Programs Coordinator at American Bar Association. He has also worked on draft laws, particularly on draft Electoral Codes.
“My personal motivation is to make the Central Election Commission as transparent and open as possible, to meet the international standards,” — Mr. Radchenko stated.
Nominee from the “Volia Narodu” group Tetiana Slipachuk shared her experience on a position of non-staff consultant at the Main Legal Department of the Apparatus of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, giving advice on electoral management.
“I really feel well-realized in this sphere. I believe I reached the highest level in practice and recognition here. This direction of political, party and state building is very interesting for me. I have been into it for all these years, watching and giving comments,” — she stated.
Candidate from the People's Front Leontii Shypilov says he has a significant experience in electoral matters.
“The last time I participated in an election campaign was in 2014, when I was consulting a group of candidates from Maidan's Self-Defense. Most of them became MPs and joined the People's Front faction. In 2015, the faction asked me if I wanted to work in the Central Election Commission. The civil society also aired such request. We often discussed the drawbacks of electoral legislation, imperfection of the Central Election Commission and a need to reform it. Finally, I thought, why not?” — Mr. Shypilov told.
Representatives of political parties and parliamentary factions have noted that the future membership of the CEC is going to be highly professional.
“Perhaps for the first time, members of the CEC are having not only a legal education, but also academic degrees and titles, and are going to do the job established by the law,” — Deputy Head of the Vidrodzhennia party Volodymyr Pylypenko said.
“I'm ready to tell that I will give the vote for these people both in the Committee and the Parliament,” — MP from the PPB Oleksandr Chernenko added.
“Your qualification level exceeds the challenges waiting for you. You will be able to realize each task put before the commission. I wish everyone present to be elected. It is big step and challenge for you,” — MP from the Opposition Bloc Yurii Miroshnychenko stated.
Electoral and Parliamentary Programs Coordinator of the Civil Network OPORA Olha Aivazovska added that independence guarantees safety of any player, including the election administration body and election commission members.
“We have experienced it ourselves many times, while cooperating and communicating with all political parties, we are staying independent from them, and this allows us not to worry about tomorrow. For 7 years of your office, you are going to organize six regular elections (plus by-elections if there are any). We also don't know whether the factions/parties, which delegated you, are still going to be represented in the Parliament. Nevertheless, these 7 years is a big chance for the professional development,” — Olha Aivazovska said.
“It seems that none of them realizes that you have established the certain standard for CEC formation by just being present on this discussion. The politicians have made a nonsense out of the situation, but potential members of the CEC, who came to the discussion in 2016 and now in 2018, have established the standard, and as a citizen I would like to say them thank you for this standard,” — OPORA's Analyst Oleksandr Kliuzhev stated.
A complete broadcast of public discussion is available here.
Biography of CEC's candidates is in OPORA's longread.