With the documents returned, the District Election Commission #205 continued working as usual and was authorized to form 83 precinct election commissions. All the registered candidates could nominate one representative to each PEC in the district. Although 114 candidates have gained their representatives in PECs after the draw of lots, the level of representation turned out to be quite low due to an exceeding number of participants. Each candidates has representatives in 9 PECs (of 83) in average. Besides that, 13 candidates don't have any formal representatives in PECs.
Numerous public conflicts and confrontations among electoral subjects with law-enforcement bodies and wide public involved were reported during formation of precinct election commissions in electoral district #205. Chernihiv Oblast Prosecutor's Office had withdrawn registration documents of nominees for PEC members from the DEC on the eve of the draw of lots, based on a criminal case over abuse of power committed by officials of the DEC. In addition to the fact that withdrawal of registration documents could have hazarded fair and transparent formation of PECs, it was made after sole consent of the Head of District Election Commission #205 Mykhailo Punko, and a number of procedures were violated. However, the documents were returned to the DEC only after public rallies, picketing and interference of candidates and MPs.
The parties whose parliamentary factions are registered with the Apparatus of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine of the current convocation have received the largest number of representatives in PECs. According to the Law, they are entitled to nominate 1 member to each PEC who shall be approved without participation in the draw of lots. All 6 parliamentary factions have used their right, and nominated their representatives to almost each PECs in the district. The Opposition Block has representatives in all 83 PECs.
Although electoral subjects have submitted documents for 9,834 nominees, only 9,473 of them were allowed to participate in the draw. The DEC has rejected 361 nominees recognized to be "doubles", minors, and MP candidates. The presence of "doubles" in nominee lists shows lack of responsibility and technological approach of candidates (parties) to the compilation of lists and drawing up of the corresponding documents. All nomination documents submitted by MP candidate Serhii Berezenko nominated by the Petro Poroshenko Block were rejected due to the incorrect drawing up of documents (there was no signature of the candidate).
OPORA's observers have noticed some significant procedural violations or deliberate misuses committed by DEC members during the draw of lots and formation of PECs. Firstly, Chairman didn't announce the selected PEC members after the draw of lots. Secondly, PEC managerial positions were distributed in half-closed working groups.
REPORT on citizen monitoring of PEC formation in district #205 (Chernihiv city) conducted by OPORA