The draft Law of Ukraine “On Introduction of Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of Ukraine Aimed to Strengthen the Liability for Violation of Electoral Legislation” was elaborated by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, National Police and Civil Network “OPORA” following on from the results of long-term public and expert discussions. Work on elaboration of draft law started off in 2016 with regional discussions on the results of investigation of crimes against electoral rights of citizens co...

On 13 March 2018, the European Platform for Democratic Elections (EPDE), a civil society network of independent election observation organizations, and its Lithuanian member International Elections Study Center (IESC) were classified as "undesirable organizations" by the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation.

OPORA welcomes the President's submission of new CEC candidates and insists on formation of a politically balanced election commission. The presence of a candidate from the AUU Batkivshchyna in the submission demonstrates the readiness of political subjects for a wide compromise in the appointment of CEC members.

MPs of Ukraine have considered the first 100 amendments to 12 articles of the Election Code of Ukraine #3112-1. The discussion was conducted on 21 February meeting of the Subcommittee on Elections and Referendums of the VRU Committee on the Judicial Policy and Justice. The information was reported by representatives of Civil Network OPORA.

On February 22, the Governmental Committee chaired by the First Vice Prime Minister Stepan Kubiv has supported overall the propositions from the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, the National Police and Civil Network OPORA concerning the Draft Law of Ukraine on Making Amendments to Some Legislative Acts Aimed to Strengthen Liability for Violation of Electoral Legislation.

On 5 February, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine has published an updated list of candidates for members of the CEC. Although the number of candidates is the same – 14 persons for 13 vacant seats – some names have changed.

Civil Network OPORA informs that it has refused from participation in public event “Independent analysis, cooperation with the government, and support of the reforms: why analytical centers matter in modern Ukraine”, which will be conducted in Kyiv on 30 January 2018.

Most of the candidates for members of the Central Election Commission support the guaranteeing of electoral rights for all citizens including internally displaced persons. They have announced such position on a public discussion “New Quality of the CEC”, organized by the Civil Network OPORA.