Aivazovska: The working group on electoral legislation has effectively ceased its work
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Deputy Editor-in-Chief
The working group on election law has effectively ceased its activities, although formally it is supposed to resume them in September.
Olga Aivazovska, chair of the civil society network “OPORA”, spoke about this during the “Kuluar TALKS” project at “Shelter.”
The group got off to a very active start. There were days when meetings lasted 8 hours, and for four months, the work was very active. But then it effectively ceased its activities, although formally it is supposed to resume in September – there are various opinions on this.
Olga Aivazovska Chair of the “OPORA” civic network
According to her, the group’s last meeting was in early May, “and this is a very sad story, because this working group was supposed to be established in the context of European integration.”
In fact, it was launched at just the right time, since we have a number of obligations as a state, and we have deadlines – some of which are even this year, in the fourth quarter.
Olga Aivazovska Chair of the “OPORA” Civic Network
Regarding changes to legislation that “will, one way or another, address the issue of loopholes and prepare the system for the elections,” she said this involves not just one law, but about seven legislative acts.
This is because, in general, if you define the concepts of Russian or foreign interference in elections, you must also develop a package of amendments to the Code of Civil Procedure, the Criminal Code, or the Code of Administrative Offenses. And this is a comprehensive set of measures. Plus, you need to grant some institution or government body the mandate to conduct monitoring, investigations, and so on, because the Central Election Commission won’t be the only one involved here. And if we look at each issue individually, there’s an incredible number of different innovations that need to be implemented – and not just through a single law.
Olga Aivazovska Chair of the “OPORA” Civic Network
According to her, the Election Law “actually has jurisdiction specifically over the electoral process itself, while everything related to the start of the election campaign – such as the preparatory process or supporting measures, including sanctions and procedural measures –is covered by other laws.”
The process itself, as a platform, was launched with the aim – once again –of pursuing a peaceful path. And when its development stalled, the working group, in effect, also lost its momentum. But that doesn’t mean anything, because in reality, once again, there are a number of measures we are obligated to implement within the framework of European integration – reforms that have deadlines, including this year.
Olga Aivazovska Chair of the “OPORA” Civic Network
As a reminder, columnist Vitaly Portnikov previously explained in an interview with “Shelter” why it is premature to talk about elections in Ukraine right now. According to him, there is no need to rush into them; we must wait until the war is over.
Author
AOlexander iliushchenkov Deputy Editor-in-Chief
All materialsHe studied at the School of Journalism at Ivan Franko National University of Lviv. He has been working in journalism since the early 2010s. He has worked for the publications "Rakurs," 112.ua, "Ukraine World News," and "Novyny. Live."