Observers from the International expert Center for Electoral Systems (ICES) have generally positively assessed the October 26 parliamentary elections in Ukraine.

According to a report of the ICES mission, which was presented by ICES President Alexander Tsinker at a press conference at Interfax-Ukraine on Monday, the elections were generally held in a competitive struggle between candidates and complied with the basic principles and requirements of the electoral law.

The report notes that the basic rules ensuring the freedom of expression, the counting of votes at polling stations and the monitoring of the vote tabulation were generally observed.

The mission in its conclusions welcomed the fact that there was no sharp deterioration of the situation in the country during the elections.

However, ICES observers noted that serious attempts were being made to disrupt voting procedures and vote tabulation.

According to the report, despite the tense situation in the country and a large number of irregularities during the organization of the election campaign and on Election Day, the process of the early elections for the Verkhovna Rada is a legitimate act of expression of will of Ukrainian citizens conducted in accordance with the law on parliamentary elections.