“Compared to previous 2006 and 2007 parliamentary elections, ENEMO mission observed in a significantly higher number of campaign violations, abuse of administrative resources, voter bribery, harassment and intimidation of candidates and campaign workers and intimidation of journalists the pre-election period. The political landscape of 2012 elections was also influenced by imprisonment of two prominent opposition figures, Yulia Tymoshenko and Yuriy Lutsenko. The new election legislation also opened space for “technical parties” to win excessive membership in district election commissions and to organize system of massive replacements. As a result, the work of district election commission was negatively affected by high number of replacements by technical parties and by partisan confrontation. Cases of pressure, closed door sessions, limited access for observers to decisions and documents raised serious concerns about transparency and integrity of DEC work.”
Peter Novotny, Head of ENEMO Mission
