OSCE-organized conference focuses on Ukraine's handling of election-related recommendations

KYIV, 16 February 2009 - An international conference held by the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine today discussed how to improve the election process ahead of the next presidential elections.

The conference, co-organized with Ukraine's Central Election Commission, gathered about 70 election stakeholders involved with election processes in Ukraine, including representatives of the Parliament, the Secretariat of the President, civil society and think tanks, as well as from OSCE participating States, the OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human rights and the Venice Commission.

Participants addressed the country's handling of election-related recommendations made by international organizations, including the OSCE.

"The OSCE continues to assist Ukraine in implementing international observers' recommendations. We work with our partners on three main issues: the codification of election legislation, the creation of the State voter register and training of election commissioners," said Lubomir Kopaj, the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine.

"However, only the Ukrainian side can make decisive steps in order to conduct good presidential elections."

The Deputy Head of Central Election Commission, Andriy Magera, added that the laws on presidential and parliamentary elections had to be reconciled for the next presidential elections to improve. Other needed measures included establishment of territorial election commissions based on the number of polling stations and a revision of electoral qualifications, as well as changes to the criteria for forming territorial and polling station election commissions, he said.

Conference participants stressed the importance of international observers' recommendations, in particular the creation of the State voter register and codification of election legislation.

The Conference was part of an OSCE long-term election project.