COMMITTEE OF VOTERS OF UKRAINE
REPORT ON RESULTS OF LONG-TERM MONITORING ON PREPARATIONS FOR PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS IN UKRAINE IN JULY 2012
July 2012
CONTENT SUMMARY. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS INTRODUCTION 1. Activities of state authorities and local self-government institutions in the context of preparations for the regular election of people's deputies of Ukraine 2. Campaigning 3. Preparations for candidates' nomination 4. Campaigning combined with providing citizens with free of charge material values
SUMMARY. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS Though in July 2012 the CEC had passed a list of subordinate legislation acts aimed at execution of the Law on the Election of People's Deputies of Ukraine provisions, legal basis for organization and conduction of elections remains imperfect. The Law on the Election of People's Deputies of Ukraine has certain drawbacks in the section on grounds for refusal to register candidates, organization of voting, vote counting and tabulation of the results of the voting in out-of-country election district, namely at out-of-country election precincts. Instead of eliminating drawbacks of the current Law on the Election of People's Deputies of Ukraine, on July 5 2012 the Parliament had passed in the first reading a Law On Peculiarities of Providing Open, Transparent and Democratic Character of 28 October 2012 Election of People's Deputies of Ukraine, which provided for video-recording of voting and vote counting at regular election precincts. If this law will be signed by the President of Ukraine, it will not considerably influence on transparency of voting and vote counting at election precincts, but will further raise the level of legislation inconformity, regulating election conduction in Ukraine. Besides, the Law has framework provisions which require additional steps for realization (amendement of the Law on the Election of People's Deputies of Ukraine, adoption of corresponding CEC acts, etc). •
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As well as in June 2012 preparations of state authorities and local self-government institutions for the regular elections in different regions in July are similar in intensity, but forms of such activities are quite different. CVU believes it is necessary to stress one more time that State government bodies of national level (i.e. President of Ukraine) should make arrangements for activation of such work in all regions, and also for unification of this work. In general, preparations for candidates nomination are made in competitive conditions. All political actors and potential majoritarian candidates mostly had an opportunity to conduct pre-term campaign, according to their capabilities. However, certain cases of pressure on candidates was registered in a range of regions, as well as pressure on business and mass media connected with these candidates. Committee of voters of Ukraine repeatedly stresses that active involvement of state authorities representatives in agitation activities of potential election subjects is intolerable. It is important to stress that principle of unbiased attitude of state institutions and officials to election process subjects in an integrated part of equal voting right, and practical compliance with this principle is one of preconditions for recognising elections as meeting democratic standards. That is why Committee of voters of Ukraine repeatedly points out that head of the state and executive authorities of higher level should make additional provisions to constrain state officials from participation in the election campaign (including disciplinary and organisational-HR measures). Initiation of primaries for candidates nomination reflects credit on certain parties. However, such primaries should be held in accordance with the best international practices and not be used as political technology or occasion for activation of campaigning activities. Publication of information on candidates to be nominated in single-mandate and nationwide district reflects credit on certain parties. Such practice should be spread both on candidates' nomination in single-mandate districts and nationwide district. At the same time preparations for candidates' nomination in nationwide nomination is mainly closed. Though potential election process subjects' campaigning became considerably more active, it did not bring real content to the politicians-voters communication. The same as before agitation activities of potential subjects of the election process is mainly realised in traditional ways of ads on radio and TV, organisation of mass events (concerts, festivals, etc), distribution of material values among voters, placement of “image” materials in mass media with symptoms of hidden propaganda. Campaigning with features of indirect vote-buying remains spread in almost all regions and practiced by almost all political parties' candidates. Committee of voters of Ukraine repeatedly stresses that restrictions on campaigning with features of indirect vote-buying imposed by law should be spread not only on election process subjects, but also on political activity in period between
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elections. Campaigning with features of indirect vote-buying should lead to proportional sanctions. Cases of direct vote-buying that start to be registered in certain regions give rise to major concern. Such cases should not be left without examination and proper reaction of law enforcement bodies.
According to preliminary calendar plan of main organisational events for preparation and conduction of elections of October 28, 2012 people's deputies of Ukraine the Central Election Commission announces start of election process no later then July 28. That is why the Committee of voters of Ukraine has prepared a regular report on results of long term monitoring on preparations to parliamentary elections conduction with evaluation of starting conditions of 2012 election campaign. The report is mainly focused on activities of state authorities and local self-government institutions in the context of preparations for the regular election of people's deputies of Ukraine and political processes on nationwide and regional level. The Report has proved that the same problems and drawbacks of of preparations for elections that were registered in May and June mainly remain topical in July as well (facts of indirect vote-buying, pressure on certain potential candidates and mass media, active involvement of state and local self-government officials in potential election process subjects' campaigning activities etc). 1. Activities of state authorities and local self-government institutions in the context of preparations for the regular election of people's deputies of Ukraine 1.1. Activities of Central Election Commission In July 2012 the Central Election Commission had adopted several important subordinate acts aimed at provision of the Law on the Election of People's Deputies of Ukraine realisation, in particular: • Order of single renumeration calculation and payment to members of district and precinct election commissions on elections of people's deputies of Ukraine (CEC Resolution №108 of 12.07.2012). The Resolution had determined grouds for calculation and general order of single renumeration payment to election commission members. In particular, it is provided that the sum of such renumeration depends on member's contribution to the commission's work, may not exeed minimal salary and should be done within the bouds of general economy of labour compensation fund; •
Order of financing district election commissions and out-of-country precinct election commissions from costs of the State budget of Ukraine, allocated for preparation and conduction of the people's deputies of Ukraine elections (CEC Resolution №110 of 12.07.2012). The Resolution had determined order of assignment opening, accounting of receipts and use of State budget of Ukraine funds allocated to DEC and PEC of out-of-country precincts for preparations and conduction of people's deputies of Ukraine elections;
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Order of control over receipt, accounting and use of election funds resources of those political parties which candidates are registered in nationwide multi-member election district and also candidates in people's deputies of Ukraine in single-mandate election districts (CEC Resolution №115 of 12.07.2012). In general, the order is based on previous CEC resolutions, describing procedure for control over receipt and use of parties election funds resources. The main reason for its adoption was change of parliamentary election system and also a neseccity to regulate procedures of receipt and use of parties election funds resources in single-mandate districts. According to the order, control over flow of funds on election funds' accounts will be realised by corresponding bank institutions and CEC, as well as (conserning election funds of candidates in deputies in singlemandate constituencies) corresponding district election commissions. Analysis of the order provisions shows that it provides conditions for effective control of legitimacy of receipt and use of funds, but will hardly provide control over financing of election subjects' campaigning as a whole;
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Order of lotting procedures for priority of air-time and printed space allocation to political parties within the limits of State budget of Ukraine, allocated for preparation and conduction of regular elections of people's deputies of Ukraine (CEC Resolution №119 of 19.07.2012). The Resolution has specified procedures for lotting for parties whoes candidates are registered in nationwide election district on distribution of airtime by National TV-radio company of Ukraine, National radio-company of Ukraine, regional TV-radio companies for re-election campaigning and printing election programs in newspapers “Golos Ukrainy”, “Uryadovy Kurjer” and also in regional (local) printed mass media outlets of state and communal beloning from every region on the cost of
State budget of Ukraine allocated for preparation and conduction of regular elections of people's deputies of Ukraine. According to the Resolution, the lotting will be done at the CEC meeting 53 days before E-Day and will comprise two stages — technical lotting for priority of parties' participation in main lottings, and maing lottings for priority of air-time and printed space allocation for campaigning; •
Order of lotting procedures for priority of air-time and printed space allocation to candidates in people's deputies within the limits of State budget of Ukraine, allocated for preparation and conduction of regular elections of people's deputies of Ukraine (CEC Resolution №112 of 19.07.2012). The Resolution has specified procedures for lotting for candidates in people's deputies of Ukraine in single-mandate election districts on distribution of airtime by National TV-radio company of Ukraine, National radio-company of Ukraine, regional TV-radio companies for reelection campaigning and printing election programs in newspapers “Golos Ukrainy”, “Uryadovy Kurjer” and also in regional (local) printed mass media outlets of state and communal beloning from every region on the cost of State budget of Ukraine allocated for preparation and conduction of regular elections of people's deputies of Ukraine. According to the Resolution, the lotting will be done at the CEC meeting 53 days before E-Day in the presence of deputies or hteir authorized representatives;
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Order of involving specialists, experts and technical specialists for organizations, legal, technical provision of election commissions work for the time of preparation and conduction of elections of people's deputies of Ukraine (CEC Resolution №122 of 19.07.2012). According to the resolution, CEC may involve up to 150 persons for provision of its' work, while DEC — up to 10 persons, and PEC, depending on precinct size — up to 1-2 persons. Specialists and technical specialists will work in corresponding commissions on the basis of commercial contracts and will receive renumeration within the limits of labour compensation fund, provided by electon commission cost sheet.
1.2. Activities of local state authorities and local self-government institutions in the context of preparations for the election In July 2012 local state authorities and local self-government institutions had mainly realised the same functions for preparation for the future regular election of people's deputies of Ukraine as in June 2012. The same as in June, activities aimed at provision of proper elections conductions differ considerably from region to region. The most wide-spread form of local authorities and local self-government to elections conduction was selection by correspondent bodies of places for placement of propaganda materials. Such decisions were adopted by local self-government institutions of Volyn, Dnipropetrovsk, Zhytomyr, Ivano-Frankivsk, Rivne, Khmelnytsk, Chernivtsi, Chernigiv, Cherkassy oblasts. Adoption by local authorities decisions on allocation of places for placement of election camgain materials in the regions: examples Volyn oblast. City councils of Kovel, Berestechko, Goroiv adopted decisions on preparation of places for election campaigning material on 4, 12 and 20 July correspondingly. Dnipropetrovsk oblast. A selector meeting of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast state administration first deputy head was held 16 July 2012. As a result, local state authorities and self-government bodies were instructed to proceed with preparations for the elections, in particular to provide publication in mass media information on the necessity to check data in the State Vote Register and select place for campaigning materials placement. Ivano-Frankivsk oblast. On July 18 2012 Ivano-Frankivsk city mayor approved a resolution №366 “On the order of election campaign materials placement”. Kyiv oblast. On 16-18 July lists of places for placement of election campaign materials were approved by local self-government bodies in Bila Tserkva, Brovary, Boryspil, Fastiv, Irpin, Bucha. Poltava oblast. 5 July 2012 executive body of Poltava city council adopted a decision on placement of election campaigning materials. Rivne oblast. 20 July 2012 Kuznetsovsk city council adopted a decision №514 “On allocation of public places and provision of stands, boards for placement of election campaigning materials for the time of people's deputies of Ukraine on 28 October 2012”. 9 July 2012 Zdolbuniv city mayor adopted an act № 84-р “On an order of election campaigning materials placement on the territory of Zdolbuniv”. Khmelnytsk oblast. During 12-20 July 2012 local self-government bodies of Khmelnitsky, Kamyanets-Podilsky, Netishyn, Slavula, Starokostyantyniv, Derazhnya, Dunaivtsi, Izyaslav, Krasyliv, Bilogirya, Vinkivtsi, Letychiv, Nova Ushytsya, Teophipol, Chemerivtsi
adopted decisions on allocation of places in these cities for placement of campaigning materials. Cherkassy oblast. 18 July 2012 executive committee of Cherkassy city council adopted decision № 1058 “On allocation of places for placement of election campaigning materials”. An annex to this decision listed 141 places for placement of agitation materials. Chernigiv oblast. 19 July 2012 executive committee of Chernigiv city council adopted decision allocation of places for placement of election campaigning materials.
The same as in June, conduction of events connected with problematic aspects of voters registration and organisation of activities of State Voter Register during the election process was rather active on regional level, as well cooperation of State Voter Register maintanance bodies with local authorities. Information about such event was actively published on а State Voter Register web-site (www.drv.gov.ua). On July 4, 2012 Severodonetsk city council (Luhansk oblast) organised a meeting of city Coordination group on provision of State Voter Register maintenance department; on July 12 Kamyanobrodsk district council of Luhansk city adopted a decision “On fulfillment of delegated functions regarding State Voter Register maintanance”. On July 17 Luhansk oblast state administration held a working selector meetingseminar with State Voter Register maintenance department staff in Luhansk oblast, which involved Central Election Committee representatives. In Dnipropetrovsk oblast, according to results of July 9th selector meeting of State oblast administration first deputy head local executive bodies and local self-government bodies were recommended to organise convenient schedule of State Voter Register maintenance departments work in the oblast. In Armyansk city, information of local State Voter Register maintenance department was published on official web-site of city mayor, informing about the necessity for young people to check themselves in State Voter Register if they are going to vote for the first time. In a range of regions local executive bodies and local self-government bodies continued the work initiated in June 2012 on monitoring of election process material and technical provision, in particular – provision of election commissions with premises for voting. Some local self-government bodies also focused on provision of access to polling stations for people with special needs. In particular, by a decision of Malevitchi village council and order of Volodymyr-Volynsky city mayor (Volyn oblast) a monitoring of PEC premises applicability for proper organisation of election commissions' work should be held. On July 23, 2012 head of Chernivtsi Oblast state administration M.Papiev held a staff meeting and assigned corresponding bodies with monitoring of material and technical condition of polling stations and their readiness to organisation of voting. On July 19, 2012 executive committee of Vinnitsya city council adopted a decision on assigning heads of council executive departments to PEC premises to control over premises condition and assistance to PEC in material and technical provision. On July 20 head of Kharkiv Oblast state administration declared about establishment of all necessary infrastructure for proper work of election commissions and organisation of voting on the 28 October 2012 E-Day. On July 5, 2012 a meeting of Chernivtsi city council working group on preparation and conduction of people's deputies of Ukraine elections headed by city council secretary V.Mykhailyshyn was held. Working group members adopted a decision to assign housing and public utilities department with construction of ramps in front of precinct election stations and make border stones lower to provide necessary conditions to people with limited physical abilities. According to this decision, communal services should provide portable constructions for people with limited physical abilities at those premises where it is impossible to construct permanent structures because of lack of time or funds. Besides, communal centre “Turbota” should provide on 28 October 2012 E-Day work of operations control centre for voters with limited physical abilities. In a number of regions local executive authorities continue work on information and education events (seminars, meetings etc), aimed at rising the level of officials awareness and public as a whole on legal regulation of elections of people's deputies of Ukraine. In particular, in Lutsk, Rozhyscha, Gorohiv rayons of Volyn oblast direct hot-lines are established in newspapers “Slava pratsi”, “Vilnym Shlyakhom”, “Gorohivsky Visnyk” for provision of voters with consultations on main electoral legislation provisions. On
July 12 newspeper “Dnistrovi Zori” (Sokyrnyansky rayon, district №204, Chernigiv oblast) published information on activities of local state administration in connection with preparations for the elections of people's deputies of Ukraine, on order of introducing amendments to the State Voter Register of Ukraine, compilation and elaboration of voter lists etc. Information and educational events connected with elections were also held in Vinnitsya oblast. In particular, on July 19 Vinnitsya oblast state administration Department on press and information held a seminar for chief editors of communal and state printed mass media outlets on elections matter. On July 17 head of Oblast state state administration M.Dzhyga informed on air about Oblast state state administration activities aimed at provision of transparency and democratic character of upcoming parliamentary elections. On July 20, Donetsk Oblast state administration Department on press and information held a seminar for chief chief editors of oblast communal newspapers on legal aspects of mass media functioning in the election period. 1.3. Prevention from possible participation in the elections / campaigning activities of potential subjects of the election process. The same as in June 2012, in July cases of preventing parties and potential candidates from campaigning activities were sporadic in most regions. However, such cases raise concern, especially the tendency for raise in number of such cases in comparison with June 2012. Cases of prevention from campaigning activities of potential subjects of the election process were registered in Vinnitsy, Donetsk, Kyiv, odessa, Kharkiv, Luhansk and some other oblasts. In particular, according to unofficial information owners of advertising spase in Izmail city (Odessa oblast) declared in one-way fashion about break of agreements with Odessa oblast branch of “Front Zmin” party.
Cases of refusal from opposition parties and candidates' charitable activities by local authorities were registered. In particular, MP of “ByuT-Batkivschyna” faction O.Tyschenko reported that taraschansk rayon state administration prohibited reception of voluntary assistance from MPs and affiliated with them charitable funds to Department of education, in particular -from charitable fund “Sertce Batkivschyny”, depriving 500 school students from free school uniform.
Rivne oblast: Party of regions ad being placed over ad of united opposition «Batkivschyna»
On July 17 communal enterprise “Reclama” removed a stand with letters in support of G.Zubko (“United opposition”, election district № 62) in Zhytomyr oblast. A person who collected signatures claimed that presssecretary of city council Olga Grygorjeva was involved. Representatives of “United opposition” did not manage to see an act of distress, though they applied to city police department and to “Reclama” enterprise regarding illegal removal of the stand.
On 21 July head of oblast election headquarters of united opposition “Batkivschyna” in Chernivtsi oblast M&
Burbak declared that on the next day after announcement of an action “Ukraine without Yanukovich” in Chernivtsi oblast an outdoor surveillance after him was done - in all his trips he is accompanied by a car with plate number СЕ 19-45 АН, and its passengers make illegal photo-recording. Leadership pf election headquarters addressed Chernivtsi oblast prosecutor's office with corresponding appeal. In Zorya village of Rivne oblast, representative of united opposition, MP of “Front Zmin” O.Semerak was prevented from meeting with voters. On July 16 representative of Front Zmin addressed director of agricultural enterprise “Zorya named after V.A.Plutynsky” with a request to provide premises for rent — Cultural house in Zorya village for meeting of residents with MP O.Semerak. A 1,5 hour long even should have been held ob July 19. According to V.Pylypchuk, deputy director of the enterprise was negative about arrival of the MP and tried to prevent possible meeting, in particular — asked for very high price for rent, and after party representative went to count money, O.Parfenuk called him back and said that their agreement is annuled. According to her, the premises was suddenly flooded. “Front Zmin” representative thinks that her behaviour is influenced by unofficial orders from oblast administration on inadmissability of meetings of potential opposition candidates with voters. In Lugansk oblast, potential candidates in deputies Shakhov (election district № 107, Lysychansk city) and Berkut (election district № 106, Severodonetsk city) were refused from placement of outdoor adverticements, while in Stakhanov adverticement of O.Kunchenko was damaged. Prevention of deputies from access to mass media is also wide spread in the oblast. In particular, potential candidate in deputie Berkut could not make a speech on Tv-channel “Accent” in Severodonetsk city. In Kharkiv and Lugansk oblast cases of damage and demontage of “Ukraina — vpered” party tents were registered. In Donetsk oblast, according to head of election headquarters of united opposition “Batkivschyna” O.Yaroshenko, on July 12-13 persons with sertificates of Security Service of Ukraine came to him and allegedly pressed hime to make all “Za Batkivschynu” election headquartes staff leave for “Ukraina — vpered!” party. Main department of Security Service of Ukraine in Donetsk oblast disconfirmed these allegations.
On purpose damage of big-boards in Lugansk oblast
1.4. Politically motivated pressure on business, connected with certain parties or potential candidates on elections The same as cases of prevention from campaigning activities, cases of political motivated pressure on business, connected with certain parties or potential candidates on elections were not especially spread in July 2012. If to compare with JUNE 2012, there was no tendency to growth in number of such cases.
On 19 July in Mariupol city (Donetsk oblast) a search was held at «LLC Yarud Neruhomist» which belongs to family of united opposition election headquarters «Batkivschyna» head O.Yaroshenko. According to «Front Zmin» press service information, the search was held by 18 tax administration officers of Mariupol city. According to this political party, policemen allegedly refused to provide document confirming the legality of the search. At a press conference, Olexandr Yaroshenko announced that political prosecution continues in the region. State tax administration declared in return that there no political motivation behind these actions. In Zaporizhzhya oblast head of local “Ukraina – vpered!” headquarters S.Zhelev had recently rather good chances to be vin on elections. Zhelev is also an influential businessman and representative of Bulgarian national minority, which resides densely on the territory of election district № 80. In July 2012 Zhelev's enterprises were pressed, and two directors of his enterprises were arrested. 1.5. Politically motivated pressure on mass media In July 2012 regional Committee of voters offices registered few cases of pressure on mass media outlets which may be conventionally classified as politically motivated. However, there were more such cases in comparison with June 2012. In particular, pressure on opposition channel „Tvi” became worse, the leadership was accused of fiscal avoidance. On July 20 provider Triolan (registered in Kharkiv city) stopped tv-channel broadcast in the oblast. In Zaporizhzhya printing house «Keramist» refused to accept oblast newspaper «Subota+» for print. An official reason was that the newspaper had an article which presumably harmed the printing house's reputation. According to opinion of the newspaper's journalists, unofficial reason was pressure on printing house by Yevhen Anisimov, who often appeared on newspaper's pages. In Lviv oblast non-planned check of «Express» newspaper printing house for “presence of harmful substances”. Journalists of «Express» newspaper indicated in their social network profiles that the check was initiated by Lviv oblast administration “ordered” by potential candidates in deputies brothers Dubnevytchi because the newspaper refused to “cooperate” with them. In Autonomous Republic of Crimea staff of state tax administration attempted to hold non-planned check of opposition TV-channel “Chornomorska TRK” activities, motivating its decision by “tax risks” found in TVradio company's declarations. However, tax administration officers were refused from entering the TVchannel premises. 1.6. Campaigning activities of potential subjects of election process and use of administrative resource Practice of state officials' and local self-government representatives' involvement in parties' and candidates' campaigning activities became wide spread in all regions of the state. In a number of regions state officials directly campaign in support of certain parties – potential subjects of the election process. In particular, in Sevastopol city head of city state administration at a press conference devoted to 225 anniversary of Catherine the Great voyage to crimea, publicly asked to vote for the Party of regions and for himself on upcoming parliamentary elections. At an press conference in Donetsk oblast, held by deputy head of Donetsk oblast branch of Party of Regions, head Donetsk oblast state administration Andriy Shyshatsky, the main focus was on results of local authorities' activities, not to activities of party organizations, and A. Shyshatsky stressed that “Party of Regions is a party of power and they are identical”. By the conference results a decision on main directions of party organizations' activities during the election campaign was adopted. Paragraph 2.5. of this decision provides for cooperation of “local authorities, majoritarian candidates, party organizations on solving social and economic problems in cities and rayons of Donetsk oblast”.
In the Volyn oblast an article was published in six printed mass media outlets. In the article Lutsk city mayor M.Romanyuk positively evaluated the activity of Igor Palytsya, potential candidate in election district №22 and also of charitable foundation "Novy Lutsk", affiliated with Palytsya. In the publications Lutsk mayor noted that MP provided substantial financial support to the city of Lutsk, in particular - for the reconstruction of the Theatre Square, alley lighting in park named after Lesya Ukrainka, reparation of student dormitories for Volyn National University named after Lesya Ukrainka, creation of scientific laboratories, allocation of funds for the construction of schools, kindergartens, apartment complexes, etc. In Kharkiv oblast, in July there were more cases of joint performances of individual candidates, along with officials of the executive authorities and local governments (in particular, head Loziv city council S. Stepanov takes part in activities involving A. Hirshfild, potential candidate for deputy from the Party of Regions, while head of Boriv rayon administration participates in activities involving a potential candidate for deputy V.Hrytsaka). In Luhansk oblast agitation in favour of the Party of Regions by a number of officers: vice Prime Minister of Ukraine Serhiy Tigipko, Vice-Chairman of RNBO N.Shufrych and others is noticeable . Campaigning for potential candidates in single-member districts was also carried out by MPs Kolisnychenko, Stoyan, Efremov — in favour of Ternikova, Medianik, Goncharov, Gorohov. A number of potential candidates actively used as an occasion for their own PR municipal work, funded not by the candidates, but at the expense of local budgets. Thus, during the reconstruction and improvement works in Kharkiv political advertising materials of a potential candidate for deputy V.Pysarenko was placed. Political advertising materials of potential candidates are often placed in facilities of ocial infrastructure, built by public funds. Agressive «Svoboda» leaflets in Prykarpattya region
2. Campaigning 2.1. Intensity of campaigning activities of potential election process subjects Campaign activities of political parties and candidates - potential participants of the electoral process as a whole remains active and has not changed significantly as compared with June 2012. Forms of agitation have not changed considerably as well.
Party of Regions, "Ukraine – forward!", Communist Party of Ukraine and "Ukrainian choice" of V. Medvedchuk were most active in outdoor advertising in July 2012, while Party of Regions, the united opposition and "Ukraina – vpered!" were most active in printed political advertising, and Party of Regions, "Ukraina – vpered!", Communist Party of Ukraine and the united opposition were most active in advertising on regional channels (media activity of united opposition fell for July 2012, although in June campaign materials were placed less actively). In comparison with June 2012 when the party "UDAR" did not conduct an active campaign activities, in July number of the party campaign materials (on television, outdoor advertising, etc.) has considerably increased. Ще однією тенденцією липня 2012 року стало те, що агітаційна активність політичних партій у здійсненні передвиборної агітації наблизилась до активності кандидатів в одномандатних округах. У попередніх звітах КВУ відзначалось, що агітаційна діяльність в основному здійснювалась кандидатами в одномандатних округах, а не партіями. Content of political actors' "messages" in general is abstract or speculative in nature and has little connection with the prospects of country development and existing problems. Thus, in their campaign materials Regions Party initially focused on its role in overcoming the "ruins", left by predecessors, then - on their achievements in building infrastructure; the united opposition – on the fact of its association and abstract slogans for the European prospects of Ukraine, battle with corruption, etc.; "UDAR" declared that the policy may be clean and sincere; "Ukraina – vpered!" - on its "primaries," which has some signs of political technology; the Communist Party of Ukraine - on the left slogans (introduction of a luxury tax, "the return of the country to people", etc.) and the need to combat corruption; "Svoboda" - that it protects Ukrainians etc. Another trend in July 2012 was that the propaganda activities of political parties in the implementation of pre-election campaign approached the activity of the candidates in single mandate constituencies. In previous reports, the CVU noted that agitation activities are carried out by candidates in single-mandate districts, not parties.
2.2. Main forms of campaigning activities Parties and potential candidates in single-mandate constituencies mainly carried out propaganda activities by traditional means - by broadcasting campaign commercials on radio and television, outdoor advertising, participation in public events, meetings with voters etc. The occasions for campaign activities were "language issue" (Party of Regions and individual candidates in single member constituencies, such as I.Vasiunyk in Lviv), holding party primaries ("Ukraina - vpered!"), The necessity of removing the President from office in connection with alleged crimes (action "Ukraine without Yanukovych") and some social initiatives. For example, Deputy Minister of Environment and Natural Resources I.Vildman (election district № 217) collected signatures of residents of Obolon district of Kyiv city to support the replacement of containers for garbage collection. In the Odessa region potential candidates "struggled" for free access to city beaches of Odessa. In particular, O.Honcharenko organized a series of demonstrations demolishing barriers at the entrances to the beach.
Manupulation with language issue by S.Kivalov, Odessa city
The same as in June, in July 2012 a number of potential candidates organized events for their support. In the Volyn oblast such events were organized by Igor rod (election district № 22), I. Yeremeyev (№ 23), K. Vashchuk (№ 20), in Zhytomyr oblast – by Gennady Zubko (United Opposition, № 62) Sydir Kizin (VO "Svoboda", № 67), in Ivano-Frankivsk oblast – by Bohdan Hdychynskyy (№ 88), Vyacheslav Kredisov (№ 86), in Lviv oblast – by Sergey Savulyak (№ 122), in Rivne oblast – by Anatoliy Yukhimenko (election district №153), in Khmelnytsky oblast – by Alexander Hereha (PR, № 192), Sergei Labazyuk (election district №188), Serhiy Buriak (PR, № 190), Victor Kolischak (election district №188) in Chernivtsi oblast – by Ivan Semeniuk (PR, № 203), Artem Semeniuk (PR, № 204), in Vinnytsia oblast – by Poroshenko (self-nomination, № 12), Yu. Gaydayev (CPU), O. Kryvopishin (PR ) (№ 13), V. Zherebnyuk (№ 14) I.Movchan (№ 15), Oksana Kaletnik and Olexy Poroshenko (№ 16). Окремими потенційними кандидатами у народні депутати в якості засобу агітації за себе використовуються безкоштовні друковані видання, які розповсюджуються за рахунок коштів таких кандидатів. Серед таких видань варто виділити газети «Рідне місто моє» накладом 80 тис. примірників (Ігор Лисов, Партія регіонів; ВО № 211); «Нова Троєщина» накладом 50 тис. примірників (Валерій Борисов, Партія регіонів; ВО № 213); «Мікрорайонка» (Алла Шлапак; ВО № 221); «Інформаційно-аналітичний вісник Солом’янського району Києва ГАЗЕТА ЛУЦЬКОГО» накладом 10 тис. примірників (Максим Луцький, Партія регіонів; ВО № 222). Поквартирні обходи були особливо поширеними в Автономній Республіці Крим. Їх здійснювали А.Соломатін (ВО №1, КПУ), В. Дзоз (ВО №1, ПР), А. Баталін (ВО №2, ПР), Л. Міримський (ВО №2, самовисуванець), О. Нетецька (ВО №3, ПР), С.Лютікова (ВО №5, ПР), Б. Дейч (ВО №8, ПР), Г. Груба (ВО №10, ПР), А. Лебедев (ВО№224, ПР), А. Белєв (ВО№224,Русский блок), Василь Федін (ВО № 183, ПР). Some potential parliamentary candidates used as a means of propaganda free publications that are distributed at the expense of such candidates. Among these publications should be mentioned newspaper "My Hometown" with circulation of 80 thousand copies (Igor Lysov, Party of Regions, election district № 211) "New Troyeshchyna" with circulation of 50 thousand copies (Valery Borisov, the Party of Regions, № 213); "Mikrorayonka "(Shlapak, № 221), "Information-analytical Bulletin of Solomyansky district Kyiv Lutsky newspaper» with circulation of 10 thousand copies (Maxim Lutsky, the Party of Regions, № 222). Door-to-door canvassing was especially common in Crimea. It was carried out by A.Solomatin (election district №1, CPU), V. Dzoz (election district №1, PR), A. Batalin (election district №2, PR), L. Mirymskyy (election district №2, self-nominated), O. Netetska (election district № 3, PR), S.Lyutikova (election district №5, PR), B. Deitch (election district №8, PR), GA Yellow (election district № 10, PR), A. Lebedev (№ 224, PR), A. Belyev (№ 224, Russky block), Basil Fedin (№ 183, PR). Practice of Door-to-door canvassing was also rather spread in Poltava and Lugansk oblasts.
Black PR in Odessa
In July, Committee of Voters of Ukraine also recorded increased number of of "black PR" cases as a means of campaigning against specific candidates for the next parliamentary elections. Thus, in Ladyzhin (electoral district â„– 17, Vinnytsya oblast) newspaper of the City Council "Our Town" launched an information war against a potential candidate H. Zabolotny and non-governmental organization "The City". In Kyiv there were publications of "black PR" against V. Klichko and potential candidates from his party. In particular, Yagotin, Zhurivtsyah, Brovary and many other cities in the region leaflets were spread, aimed at discrediting V. Klichko and potential candidates from "UDAR". For example, in Brovary fake newspaper was distributed allegedly on behalf of the NGO "Thunderstorm", headed by a potential candidate for deputy from the "UDAR" Paul Rizanenko in which there were materials about P.Rizanenko involvement in drug trafficking, false statement of "UDAR" refusal to nominate P.Rizanenko as candidate. "Black PR" was used rather actively in Odessa oblast. Thus, in early July in Odessa eaflets against Vitali Klichko, Arseniy Yatseniuk, Natalie Korolevska and Oleg Tyahnybok were distributed. In one of these leaflets they were associated with the leaders Ukrainian Rebellion Army, in the other - with Hitler, Mussolini and Stepan Bandera. On July 14 in Izmail city there was a mass action against a potential candidate Yuri Kruk, under the slogan "Thanks to the residents with leaflets against Yu. Kruk being spread.
In Zaporozhye oblast "black PR" was actively used against opposition leaders. For example, the regional state broadcasting channel (channel ZTRK "Kiev") broadcasted a movie about Yulia Tymoshenko, in which she and her activities were negatively covered. In Lviv oblast video-materials with campaigning against A. Lopushansky ( http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=oASq9_0-RVc) were spread. In the constituency number 115 (Sykhiv) July 15, 2012 posters were sticked, indicating that Dmitry Dobrodomov (candidate of "UDAR", the general producer of the channel "Zico") is the grandson of NKVD employee. On 3 July 2012 in Zhytomyr leaflets were spread showing the head of Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Volodymyr Lytvyn among old women with the text: "Mom, I sold our language."
2.3. Spread of materials with features of hidden political propaganda in mass media The same as in June 2012, in July there was a tendency for raise in number of materials in mass media which may be classified as hidden political propaganda.
Edvertorial in newspaper «33 channel», Vinnytsya oblast
In particular, in Autonomous Republic of Crimea edvertorials became 20-30% more spread in july 2012. The share of hidden political advertising has increased, for example, on the state channel "Crimea" and in the materials of information agency "KIA" (controlled by the Parliament of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea). The edvertorials in positive manner highlighted the activities of the Party of Regions and "Ukraina – vpered!", "Ukrainian choice" of V. Medvedchuk, a potential candidate Lev Myrymsky. Image materials, were actively placed in private mass media outlets as well, in particular TV-company "YTV", TRC "Naples," newspaper "Crimea pravda", "Crimean telegraph", "Evening city," Municipal publication "Southern Capital", the state newspaper "Izvestia of Crimea." In Chernivtsi oblast 13 July 2012 in the local newspaper "Vizhnitsky horizons" (Vizhnitsky district, constituency № 202) were published some image materials by the Head of Main educational department of Chernivtsi oblast State Administration Michael Bauer. Absolutely identical material with the same headlines ("Michael Bauer: we know the history of the village, city, country, our genealogy") on the same day appeared in the newspaper "New Day" (Glyboksky district, constituency №203) and newspaper "Free life" (Kitsman district). July 19 in the newspaper "Time" was published promo material dedicated to the deputy of Ukraine Oleg Lyashko and headed bz him Radical Party. The material covered the event under the walls of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, during which O. Lyashko "filled Cabinet of Ministry with cheap potatoes." In the Donetsk oblast, July 19-20, the First Municipal Channel aired the documentary "The parliamentary elections in Ukraine 2012” in which political perspectives of Natalia Korolevska were represented in very positive way.
In Kherson oblast most "edvertorials" are devoted to the Communist Party of Ukraine, which actually controls regional newspaper "Accents," to Party of Regions and "Batkivschyna." Newspapers' Grivna "and" New Day" print several such materials in each issue. Almost all newspapers that publish campaign materials are independent. Communal "Kherson Bulletin" prints only the hidden propaganda about achievements of authorities and the mayor. In Rivne oblast between 10 to July 12 regional editions was placed 9 different in content and scope "image" materials of Oleg Chervonyuk, which highlighted his visit to China, its role in the revival of flax traditions in Rivne region and providing support regional clinical hospital as 1000 sheets for patients worth 50 thousand UAH. In Chernivtsi oblast 13 July 2012 in the local newspaper "Vizhnitskaya horizon" (Vizhnitsky area, election district № 202) published image materials of Head of the Chernivtsi School Regional State Administration Michael Bauer. Absolutely identical material under the same name ("Michael Bauer: we know the history of the village, city, country, our descendence") on the same day appeared in the newspaper "New Day" (Glyboksky area, election district № 203) and newspaper "Free Life" (Kitsman area). On July 19 newspaper "Time" published promo material dedicated to deputy of Ukraine Oleg Lyashko and his Radical Party. The material covered event under the walls of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, when O. Lyashko allegedly "pelted the Cabinet with cheap potatoes." In Donetsk oblast, on July 19-20, First Municipal Channel aired the documentary "The parliamentary elections in Ukraine in 2012", positively highlighting political perspectives of Natalia Korolevska.
3. Preparations for candidates' nomination 3.1. Activities connected with preparations for nomination of candidates at regular 2012 elections of people's deputies of Ukraine In July 2012 parties work on preparation for the nomination of candidates at the regular elections of people's deputies of Ukraine gradually entered the final stage - in many regions of the Party of Regions finally decided on candidates to be nominated in single member constituencies, the party "UDAR" published lists of their candidates for nomination in most districts, while the united opposition - made public the names of more than 100 candidates to be nominated. However, the same as in previous months, the united opposition had no agreement about nomination of candidates in many regions of Ukraine. The process of such accommodation will apparently end in early August 2012. In July 2012 party "UDAR" determined its candidates for nomination in the overwhelming majority of singlemandate constituencies, mainly completing preparatory process for the nomination, launched in May-June 2012. Interestingly, in the constituency number 7 (Autonomous republic of Crimea) it is planned to nominate nominate S.Hvorova instead of O.Yakovenko from “UDAR”, as soon as Yakovenko, according to a statement of the head of the “UDAR” Crimean republican organization O.Matsko, "does not absolutely meet the criteria of integrity, developed by CHESNO movement". United opposition agreed its candidates in the Volyn oblast, although not all of them were sutisfied with the results of this agreement. According to the Volyn branch of CVU, head of the Volyn regional organization VO "Svoboda" Anatoly Vitiv who has a good rate intended to stand as candidate in Lutsk majoritarian constituency. However, united opposition decided decided to give “Svoboda” the electoral district with the center in Volodymyr-Volynsky. However, in most districts united opposition has failed to agree on candidates for nomination. For example, in Dnipropetrovsk oblast only two candidates of the united opposition are known- W. Getman (Constituency № 24) and M.Kuryachyy (Constituency № 25). In Lviv oblast candidates in single-member districts and nationwide district of the Lviv regional organization of the Party of Regions were named.
Khmelnytsky oblast organization of the Party of Regions is ready to support (although unofficially it is done since May) businessmen Alexander Hereg (owner of hypermarket "Epicenter" chain) and Serhiy Buriak (coowner of "Brokbusinessbank" and Agricultural Holding "Svarog") as majoritarian candidates. Thus, in the Khmelnitsky oblast candidates for the Party of Regions are formally agreed in 5 of 7 election districts. Coordination of candidates from the Party of Regions and in the Zhytomyr oblast is ongoing. Thus, member of Zhytomyr oblast council from the Party of Regions Vladimir Pyehov began actively campaigning in Korosten, although the official publication of potential candidates' named from the this political party have not yet occurred. In Chernivtsi oblast neither the Party of Regions nor the united opposition have announced their candidates for nominations in single-mandate constituencies. The of candidates accommodation in this area, obviously, will continue until early August 2012. In Kharkiv oblast Party of Regions approved candidates who has long been conducting propaganda in the area (constituency №175 - V. Katsuba, constituency № 177 - V. Hrytsak, constituency № 178 - D.Dobkin, constituency № 179 - A. Hirshfeld.) in the districts of Luhansk (constituencies №№ 104, 105, 109) PR agreed V.Honcharova, S. Gorokhov and V.Medyanyka as candidates.
3.2. Support of well-known regional personalities for candidates' nomination In most regions no direct appeals from well-known regional personalities for voting for a particular potential candidate were registered. In Autonomous Republic of Crimea decision of well known in Crimea businessman O.Zubkov, who had previously been associated with "BYuT-Batkivschyna" to join the Party of Regions became discussed. Zubkov said he saw no alternative to the PR and will take part in the election campaign as a trustee candidate in constituency № 8 of Boris Deutsch. Head of the Department for Aviation of Ministry for Emergencies of Ukraine Yevhen Chervonenko said that he would support a potential candidate for the Party of Regions Sergei Brayko in election district № 7. 3.3. Local party activities and inner party conflicts The intensity of party activities in regions did not change significantly compared to June 2012. The most active are being developed local organizations of the Party of Regions, a bit slower "Batkivschyna" and "UDAR". During July activity of local organizations of the Communist Party of Ukraine is also increased. Among the party branches the most active in July was the Party of Regions. More active became branches of the party "Batkivschyna" and "Ukraina – vpered!". Almost no activity was provided by VO "Svoboda". In Kyiv oblast active work to build a new "Green party" continues. Thus, in Bila Tserkva the documents for registration of the local branch of the party were submitted. Potential candidate for Bila Tserkva constituency from this party can be Rosoha Victor, the former chairman Bila Tserkva city party "Batkivschyna" and the First Deputy Mayor of Bila Tserkva. The local organizations of the Communist Party of Ukraine significantly (compared to May and June 2012) reinforced their activities, including western regions of the state. Thus, the Communists of Ivano-Frankivsk region claimed that during elections they plan to engage the youth. Khmelnytsky oblast organization of the Communist Party considers creating information and campaigning groups by district committees to meet with voters one of the most important tasks, especially in villages. So on June 26 in the village Myhaylyuchka was held a meeting of the village initiated by Shepetovskoy district organization of the Communist Party. The goal of this event was to clarify the provisions of the election platform of the party and the Program of overcoming the crisis situation in the country. Similar meetings were held with residents of the village Pasichna village of Starosynyavsky district, Pechesky village of Khmelnitsky district.
Preparing for nomination of candidates in constituencies are accompanied with conflicts not only among opposition parties but also among the governing parties. Thus, in Donetsk region the protracted political conflict between the People's deputy of Ukraine Igor Shkirya and the Mayor of Horlivka Yevgen Klep was continued in July. Kalinin district of Horlovka is constituency No52 (center - Dzerzhynsk), in which Igor Shkirya intends to ballot. There started a conflict between the heads of regional organizations of VO "Svoboda" and "Batkivshyna" because of nomination the chairman of the local branch "Svoboda" O.Marchenko in Bila Tserkova district (Kyiv region). In Kherson oblast there is conflict between the Party of Regions and Communists. Statements of P.Symonenko are limited with general conclusions and blaming of all abstract oligarchs from authority, but People's deputy Kateryna Samoilyk accuses A.Blyznyuk in terms of elimination of Kherson oblast. In the Odesa oblast inner struggle between Igor Plohoy and Anton Kise, as well as and between Oleksiy Honcharenko and Yuri Presnov for the right to be nominated by the Party of Regions at constituencies NoNo 142 and 133 respectively is continued. In relatively latent stage is a potential conflict between Volodymyr Bodelan and Yuri Kruk for the right to nominate from the Party of Regions in constituency No 143. In the Lviv oblast there started a conflict on nomination of opposition candidates in constituency No 124, which was originally "promised" the the People's Movement of Ukraine for nomination of Andriy Kornata, and later it was agreed to nominate Stepan Kurpil as the candidate of the united opposition. In Khmelnytsky oblast seven single member districts were planned to be divided between the united opposition parties on the prenciple "3 +3 +1": 3 districts were to be left for representatives of "Batkivshyna", 3 districts - for "Front Zmin", 1 district — for "Svoboda ". But according to unofficial sources VO "Svoboda" most likely will nominate their candidates for all seven single-member districts, which can lead to serious conflict in the ranks of the united opposition. In Rivne oblast it appeared a serious internal conflict within the party "Front Zmin". Rivne oblast organization of "Front Zmin" has decided to dismiss the leaders of several political organizations. Press service of the party spread the information that the heads of local organizations of "Front Zmin" in Berezne, Volodymyretska and Zdolbunivska districts and Kuznetsk City were expelled from the party members. The reason for dismissal were called failure in fulfilling orders of the secretariat of the party "Front Zmin" passive work in building the party and increasing the number of its members. 3.4.
Preparations for nomination of independent candidates
Internal party conflicts have become one of the reasons that a number of potential candidates dissatisfied with the inter-party agreements, decided to stand for election as independent candidates. For example, in July his intention to run self-nominated in constituency No 204 claimed the ex-mayor of Novodnestrovsk (Chernivtsi region) Ruslan Panchyshyn. At the same time, "Front Zmin" issued a statement that R. Panchyshyn was expelled from the party in April. In the Lviv oblast after claim of the oblast organization of "Nasha Ukraina" on lack of reasons for separate opposition list on People's deputies elections V. Vyazivsky started preparation to self-nomination. As well as during previous months, a number of candidates which are indirectly associated with certain parties are trying to position themself as independent candidates. For example, in Khmelnytsky
Oblast V. Melnychenko in all his speeches, presents itself only as a deputy of oblast council of the Party of Regions, insisting that during parliamentary elections he will nominate as an independent candidate. In Mykolaiv oblast in constituency No 131 candidates Ye.Bakulin, F.Olshevskyy and I.Brychenko are members of different parties, they nominate but do not claim their party affiliation. 4. Campaigns, accompanied by the provision voters with free goods In July 2012 the practice of campaigning that accompanied by provision voters with goods was widespread in all regions, but the incidence of indirect bribery of voters was slightly lower compared with the May and June 2012. This is mainly due to the holiday period and no formal reasons for the distribution of material goods (eg no holidays). The period of leave and soon beginning of the new school year made candidates to review the subject of indirect bribery of voters – they started use travel services, works on schools repairing and providing equipment for schools. In Kiev oblast the head of oblast state administration A. Prysyazhnyuk gifted fifteen trips to vacation in Greece and Crete island to students of Slavutynskyy Lyceum who represented Lyceum in students contests. Due to the financial support of "patrons" from the Party of Regions in Kiev Sviatoshynsky district of Kiev oblast during six weeks of summer more than 400 children had rest at seaside in the health sanatorium "Olvia" (m.Ochakiv Mykolaiv oblast). Indirect bribery of voters is used also by potential candidates from opposition parties. For example, Bogdan Grebenyuk, the head Darnytsky district center "Front Zmin" in Kiev, July 13, presented 20 desks and chairs to the Scandinavian Gymnasium. In the Zhytomyr oblast V.Razvadovskyy (constituency No 67) purchased on their own funds 2000 sets "First grader set", which included: a scheme of sentence, a scheme of words sound analysis, a set of geometric shapes, which are planned to be delivered to departments of education in Lyubarsky, Romaniv, Chudniv, Zhytomyr regions and Zhytomyr city to present to first graders. Mykola Rudchenko (People's Party, the constituency No 66) has allocated money to replace windows, install gates and purchase chairs at Korostyshev school No1. In Korostyshev School No2 with help of Mykola Rudchenko there was laid asphalt. People's Deputy has also allocated money to replace windows, roof and floor, as well as to develop documentation for building new classes in school No3. In Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast Yuri Derevianko (constituency No 87) gifted chairs, blackboard and a set of furniture for the dining room for the school in the village Vynohrad of Kolomiysk district. Another common form of indirect bribery of voters was financing by potential candidates the installations of playgrounds. For example, I. Movchan, Deputy Head of Vinnytsia oblast state administration and Deputy of Vinnitsa oblast council has allocated 11 000 UAH for the construction of children's playground in kindergarten in Obuhiv village of Murovanokurilovetsky district. Several playgrounds were installed in Lisichansk (Luhansk oblast) by a potential candidate Sergei Dunaev and one by Sergei Shahov; playground was set in Rubizhne by Spyridon Kilinkarov, several playgrounds were established by fund of Oleksiy Kunchenko in Severodonetsk. The opening of such kind of facilities was also established in Cherkassy (constituency No 198 - I. Sachenko opened the playground Kamyanka city), Zakarpatska (for example, a potential candidate from constituency No 73 announced his intention to equip the park in Vinogradiv city), Mykolaiv (playground established at constituency No 132 by A. Ilyuk) and other oblasts. As well as during previous months, indirect bribery of voters are often carried out through charitable foundations associated with potential candidates. For example, in the Donetsk oblast the charitable foundation of People's Deputy of Ukraine Igor Shkirya (constituency No52, Dzerzhynsk city) in July announced the launch of the program for rehabilitation of children. Foundation "Humanity", which is headed by People's deputy of Ukraine Tatyana Bakhteeva (VO No42, Center-Voroshylivskyy district of Donetsk) funded the program of dolphin therapy for disabled children.
Foundation of Igor Lysov "My Hometown" in association with Holosiyevsky district state administration in Kyiv city started systematic works on the improvement of adjacent territories, paving roads, repairing porches and stairwells in buildings of Holosiyevsky district .
Free trips for religious people by potential candidate B. Dubnevych, Lviv oblast In some regions rather unusual forms of indirect bribery of voters became widespread. In particular, in the Ternopil oblast one of potential majoritarian candidate Ivan Chaykivskyy used an interesting way of indirect bribery : he offered farmers to take pigs on feeding for free, that will be purchased him later it for 20 UAH per kilo of live weight, that is priced higher than normal purchase prices for pork. Potential candidates at constituency No13 (Vinnytsia oblast) M. and P. Yurchyshyn (heads of AP SPE "Visyt") offered voters “to taste milk products of AP SPE "visit" and express their opinion�. So that distribution of cheese and butter didn't not look like bribery, they added to the product set “the consumers' questionnaire" We are concerned about cases of direct bribery of voters. Thus, according to the head of Vinnitsa oblast headquarters of united opposition "Batkivshyna" L.Scherbakivska, heads of some village councils make voters network marketing system: each voter receives about 1000 UAH by voting for the party or for the candidate; if the voter brings with another voter who agrees to vote in such circumstances, the voter get additionally paid 200 UAH and new voter receives 1000 UAH. To confirm the facts of right voting voters are said to be given cell phones with which they have to make pictures of ballot sheets, which after the completion of the poll they have to bring out of polling station and give to other voters. In Mogilev-Podolsk (Vinnitsa oblast) was held a meeting of "supporters" of Oksana Kaletnik. Admission to the meeting was held strictly with approved list. People attanded the meeting signed a statement that they are "supporters of O. Kaletnik" and received 50 UAH. The CVU estimates that this meeting was intended to form a network for bribing voters in constituency No16.
About 50 buses brought people to form a "pyramid" for bribing voters in Mogilev-Podolsk