Report on the practice of accountability for participation in the conduct and organization of illegal referendums and elections
Introduction In 2014, russia occupied the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions. In 2022, they continued their armed aggression against Ukraine with a full-scale invasion, expanding the occupation and seizing certain territories of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions. Illegal referendums and elections are an integral part of the Russian war […]
Foreign Influence, Disinformation, AI, and Illegal Actions in Digital: What Threatens the Integrity of Political Finance
Money is an essential resource for politics and voter outreach. However, if not effectively regulated, it can compromise the integrity of political processes and democracies. Effective state regulation of funding of political parties and election campaigns (commonly known as political finance) and their implementation are vital for promoting the integrity, transparency, and accountability of democratic […]
Analysis of Draft Laws Amending the Electoral Code
Lawyers of the Civil Network OPORA have produced an analysis of the provisions of draft laws amending the Electoral Code of Ukraine to combat sexism in electoral processes and ensure balanced representation of women and men in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and local councils. Introduction On May 27, 2024, the Parliament registered a draft […]
Ukrainian authorities’ legitimacy when elections are impossible: Part II
In the wake of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the political system has fronted ‘militant democracy,’ compelling authorities to protect Ukraine’s democratic regime and strengthen its defenses. While Part I of the Ukraine Policy Alert “Ukrainian authorities’ legitimacy when elections are impossible” examined the limitations imposed by a full-scale war on the […]
Ukrainian authorities’ legitimacy when elections are impossible: Part I
The new normal that Ukraine has been forced into after Russia’s full-scale invasion on the 24th of February 2022 raises questions for the Ukrainian government, politicians, experts, and society about whether democratic elections are possible in Ukraine while the active phase of the war is ongoing. This also raises questions about the legitimacy of Ukrainian […]
Ukrainian authorities’ legitimacy when elections are impossible
The new normal that Ukraine has been forced into after Russia’s full-scale invasion on the 24th of February 2022 raises questions for the Ukrainian government, politicians, experts, and society about whether democratic elections are possible in Ukraine while the active phase of the war is ongoing. This also raises questions about the legitimacy of Ukrainian […]
“Putin’s elections”: how the Kremlin organizes a high turnout of “voters” in the temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories
By Dmytro Bashtovyi, analyst of the Civil Network “OPORA” Why, in the conditions of hostilities, the involvement of the local population in pseudo-election processes can be qualified as a war crime On March 15-17, presidential “elections” are held in Russia. “Balloting” has been going on for three weeks in the occupied territories of Ukraine. The […]
Civil Network “OPORA”
OPORA is one of the leading non-governmental and non-partisan All-Ukrainian organizations for public oversight and advocacy in the field of elections, parliamentarism, education, joint ownership, energy efficiency, local self-government, as well as the comprehensive implementation of the principle of open data. It strives for sustainable development of society, irreversible changes that can be ensured through […]
Committee of Voters of Ukraine
CVU aims to promote democratic changes in the country, including through independent non-governmental monitoring of election and referendum processes, both at the national and local levels, as well as public lobbying of the relevant legislative changes. CVU was founded in February 20, 1994 as an independent non-partisan organization with national status. Since then, it has […]
Civil Network OPORA and IFES present a roadmap for electoral reform in Ukraine
While Russia’s all-out war of aggression continues and martial law is in force, holding elections in Ukraine is not allowed by its legislation and presently unfeasible. However, though elections are on hold, electoral reform should advance as soon as possible. Considering the scale of the challenges for Ukraine’s next elections, the Verkhovna Rada and other […]