On July 1, at 10am, in Big Conference Hall of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, a roundtable titled "Improvement of the Law on Local Elections. Problems and Directions" will take place. The event is organized by the Committee of Voters of Ukraine, Civil Network OPORA, and Mission of the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) to Ukraine.
Law on the Elections of Deputies to the Verkhovna Rada of Autonomous Republic of Crimea, Deputies of Local Councils, Village, Town and City Heads, adopted on 2010, has always been and still is the most imperfect law among those regulating the elections in Ukraine. Most of its regulations are contradictory to international standards and create opportunities for abuses at almost all stages of the election process. The last local elections, which were held in May-June 2013, have brought out clearly this fact. As long as local elections are held in Ukraine almost every month, the fundamental reconsideration of the Law on Local Elections becomes even more urgent.
Goal of the event is to develop a common vision of directions for further improvement of the Law on Local Elections and its implementation by politicians, experts and representatives of the international community.
During the roundtable, the Committee of Voters of Ukraine, Civil Network OPORA, and International Foundation for Electoral Systems will outline main drawbacks in the organization of local elections and propose some solutions for general consideration, on the basis of civic and international observation conducted during local council and mayoral elections (including those conducted in May-June 2013).
Representatives of state authorities and local self-government, Members of Parliament of Ukraine, members of the Central Election Commission, election law experts, representatives of diplomatic corps and international organizations, as well as journalists, were invited to participate in the roundtable.