On 29 May, observer of Civil Network OPORA wasn't allowed to attend the meeting of TEC #222, who was observing as a journalist of the Tochka OPORY newspaper.
The explanation for such denial of access to premises of the TED was that the votes were recounted in the meeting hall. Some time later, the commission has closed the door and didn't react on observer demanding to let him fulfill his duties. Thus, the observer called the police and reported about the crime, that is, according to the Article 171 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, "obstruction to the lawful professional journalist activities". After the votes were recounted, the observer was allowed to enter the TEC.
We remind that according to the Article 27(9.6) of the Law of Ukraine on the Elections of Deputies to the Verkhovna Rada of Autonomous Republic of Crimea, Deputies of Local Councils, Village, Town and City Heads, representatives of the mass media (not more than two from every media company) are allowed to be present on the meetings of election commission in the premises of the polling station.
After the recount on polling station #800866, every candidate received 1-2 votes back. Commission members refused to tell which candidate received extra votes during the first vote count.
Besides that, the TED refused to recount the votes on polling station #800842 on demand of the Democratic Alliance political party, as long as the preliminary and final protocols had different numbers.
Civic monitoring conducted by OPORA - is a type of network activity, aimed at impartial assessment of the preparation and conduct of elections, as well as preventing electoral violations through comprehensive civic action.
Since March, OPORA conducts a wide observation campaign during snap Presidential election, interim Parliamentary elections (district #83), and special local elections. The organization cooperates with 175 long-term observers, who are watching the course of election campaign in all Ukrainian regions. On the Election Day on May 25, 3,000 activists will join them to conduct the parallel vote tabulation, based on statistical sample.