Kharkiv region: a twofold candidate

The Head of Zmiyiv Rayon State Administration and the Deputy of Kharkiv Oblast Council, Yevgeniy Murayev is a potential majoritarian candidate from the Party of Regions in Zmiyiv region. Like all other potential candidates he has virtually started his election campaign.

Only in May and June 2012 on behalf of the charity fund “Step by Step”, which is led by his wife, and on behalf of Yevgeniy Murayev as a deputy, the postmen received 70 bicycles as a present. On the occasion of the Medical Worker Day, medical institutions received a new dental unit, two computers, microwave ovens, electric kettles and dishware. On the occasion of Children’s Day, participants of the celebration received game kits. Tea sets and blankets were sent to family type homes. Also, he facilitated the opening of Taxpayer Service Center.

The activity of abovementioned charity fund also attracts attention. “Step by Step” fund supports the distribution of social aid to children and mothers, the equipment of health improvement centers, and mass events with Ukrainian celebrities. It is important to mention that during all four years of its existence (starting from the foundation day - June 3, 2008) the activity of the fund became salient only on the eve of the elections of People’s Deputies of Ukraine.

Certainly, regardless the attitudes of district dwellers, charity activity of the incumbent Head of Zmiyiv Rayon State Administration as such does not contradict the law. Article 2 of the Law of Ukraine On Charity and Charitable Organizations limits such activities of the officials by saying that the officials “and their family members can be engaged in charity and charitable activities only within the received and declared income.”

But the problem is that the Head of Rayon State Administration frequently presents his charitable activities to the future voters in the line of duty. This, in turn, violates Article 12 of the Law of Ukraine On Local State Administrations, which stipulates that Heads of the Local State Administrations cannot “combine their official duties with any other activity (including that on a voluntary basis), apart from teaching, scientific, and creative activities outside working hours.”

This is probably the reason why, although the current Head of Zmiyiv Rayon State Administration informs the district dwellers about his charitable activity on the official website, he presents it not on behalf of the Head of Zmiyiv RSA, but on behalf of the Deputy of Kharkiv Oblast Council.

It seems that the future candidate for the Member of Parliament thinks that in any case the twofoldness of his status, which is allowed by the law, will secure him form the accusations of the use of administrative resources and dishonest campaigning.

Civil Network OPORA underlines that such behavior of the potential majoritarian candidate contradicts the basic principles of fair and just elections. Namely, it contradicts the principle of equal opportunities for all participants of the election process and the principle of abstention from preconceived attitude of the state authorities toward the political parties and candidates. In this light, CN OPORA emphasizes the positive example of Yevgeniy Murayev’s colleague and party fellow Volodymyr Katsuba. He is the Head of Dergachivsk Rayon State Administration, Oblast Council Deputy and possible majoritarian candidate from the Party of Regions in voting district # 175. In accordance with the Ordinance of the President of Ukraine of June 8, 2012 № 102/2012-рп he resigned from the post of state official to focus on the charitable activity and to run for the Parliament.