Discussion: Changing Horses in the Mid-Stream or What is New in Ukrainian Electoral Legislation

In Ukraine, just over 3 months before the October`s local elections, changes to the election legislation came into force. The new law introduces party monopoly for nominating candidates at the local level, and permission for machine voting. Before, in December 2019, the parliament introduced open lists, provided that voters would be able to vote for individual candidates.

But not everything is smooth in these updates, and there is almost no time left before the elections to improve the law. Taking into account such problems, the Code of Good Practice in Electoral Matters of the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe does not allow changes in the basic provisions of electoral legislation less than a year before the election.

We invite you to discuss with professionals, whose work is directly connected with electoral legislation, why Ukraine was in a hurry to adopt the law and are there risks for free expression of voters’ will.

Speakers:

• Anna Nalyvayko, Project Officer at Martens Centre (Brussels), “Keeping up the standards of free and fair elections in Ukraine”
• Vita Dumanska, CEO, NGO Chesno, “Risk and opportunities of new Ukrainian electoral legislation”
• Ostap Hunkevych, lawyer, Assistant Consultant to MP of Ukraine, Golos party, “The recent history of the amending of the electoral legislation of Ukraine”
• Serhii Horovenko, lawyer, Assistant Consultant to MP of Ukraine, Servant of the People party

Moderator: Maryna Yaroshevych, expert, Promote Ukraine

Schedule

• 3:00 PM – 3:10 PM Anna Nalyvayko, Project Officer at Martens Centre (Brussels), “Keeping up the standards of free and fair elections in Ukraine”
• 3:10 PM – 3:20 PM Ostap Hunkevych, lawyer, Assistant Consultant to MP of Ukraine, Golos party, “The recent history of the amending of the electoral legislation of Ukraine”
• 3:20 PM – 3:30 PM, Vita Dumanska, CEO, NGO Chesno, “Risk and opportunities of new Ukrainian electoral legislation”
• 3:30 PM – 3:40 PM, Serhii Horovenko, lawyer, Assistant Consultant to MP of Ukraine, Servant of the People party
• 3:40 PM – 4:00 PM Q&A

When: October 8th, 3PM Kyiv time (2 PM Brussels Time)

Where: Zoom

Organizers: VoxUkraine, Promote Ukraine

Looking forward to seeing you at the event!

Watch live video here