President Victor Yushchenko met with Ukrainian governors. They discussed ways to ensure transparent and fair elections.
Central Election Commission Head Yaroslav Davydovych said there were some problems that must be urgently solved to conduct the vote on March 26. Local commissions lack people, equipment and transport. He pointed out that almost all regions of Ukraine violated the law on the maximum number of voters allowed to vote at one poll.
The President said it was incumbent on local government to make the upcoming election transparent and reiterated that state administrations must help equip all local commissions and polls and, most importantly, convoke these commissions. He also reminded those present that the local authorities should monitor the observance of all electoral laws and “immediately respond” to any violations.
Then they discussed social, economic and political problems and challenges.
First Deputy Chief-of-Staff Ivan Vasyunyk and Regional and Personnel Policy Department Head Anatoly Tkachuk attended the meeting.
“We must preserve stability and order, particularly duringthe campaign,” he said. “We want to fully cooperate with observers.”
In his turn, Deputy Chief-of-Staff Anatoly Matviyenko outlined some measures the Secretariat was taking to ensure transparency during the vote. He said they would soon launch educational programs and open a telephone hotline. He urged the governors to make similar initiatives in their regions.
