10:11 16.11.2017

G7 ambassadors welcome launch of electoral reform in Ukraine, call for CEC renewal

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The ambassadors of the G7 countries have welcomed the adoption by the Verkhovna Rada of the draft election code No. 3112-1 at first reading and called for the renewal of the Central Election Commission of Ukraine (CEC) in 2017.

"We agree that now is the time for electoral reform, allowing at least one year for implementation prior to the 2019 elections. We also call for a renewal in 2017 of the Central Electoral Commission (CEC) by filling all expired 13 seats, thereby establishing a politically balanced election commission, with a strong, long-term mandate, supported by a modernized election administration," they said in a joint statement in support of electoral reform in Ukraine, which was posted on the Facebook page of the EU Delegation to Ukraine.

The G7 ambassadors believe that there is still room for a transparent, inclusive and consultative process before the second reading in order to further enhance democratic representation, including through effective sanctions for violations of election laws and for the abuse of state resources, to increase political participation and representation of vulnerable and minority groups, including women and internally displaced persons, and to accelerate political finance reform.

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