OPORA LIVE. “Pseudo-Referenda” in the Occupied South of Ukraine: Is it Worth Paying Attention?

On June, 1, 2021, the Central Election Commission received documents from the meeting of Ukraine’s citizens on holding a national referendum by popular initiative on the question: “Do you support a ban on the sale of land of agricultural designation to anyone in addition to the state of Ukraine?” Upon considering the documents, and on the basis of the respective reports from the CEC members attending the meeting, the Commission ruled a Resolution on June, 11, 2021, to reject the registration ...

January, 26, Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine passed, in the second reading and in whole, the draft law “On Popular Rule Through the All-Ukrainian Referendum” (No 3612). The new law is aimed at implementing direct popular rule and address national issues. The law has already “grown” rumours and is surrounded by disinformation. That is why this article explains how the all-Ukrainian referendum is going to run in Ukraine.

On January, 26, 2021, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine cast the 255 votes of MPs to pass the draft Law of Ukraine “On the All-Ukrainian Referendum” (no 3612) in the second reading, and in whole. The draft law was developed by the parliament’s working group of the people’s deputies of Ukraine, representatives of non-governmental and academic organizations. Upon the formal request for feedback submitted by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, the draft law received a joint expert opinion from the Venice...

People are exercising the power directly and via the public authorities and self-government bodies.1 In the opinion of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine, an element of the process of direct exercise of power by the people includes the exercise of Constitutional rights and freedoms by Ukraine’s citizens, such as the right to vote at elections and at a referendum. Additionally, people have the exlusive right to directly, via the all-Ukrainian referendum, to identify the constitutional rule in...