The European Union project, “Support to the Election Process in Ukraine” continues its cooperation with the Central Election Commission before the repeat voting of the second round of the Election of the President of Ukraine on December 26, 2004,

December 22, 2004.

    *** Аnd has produced new informational materials concerning the voting process and election commissions’ activities.
    Right after the Law of Ukraine “On Peculiarities of Implementing the Law of Ukraine ‘On Election of the President of Ukraine’ during the repeat voting on December 26, 2004” became effective, the European Union (EU) project, at the request of the Central Election Commission (CEC), prepared and produced a poster for voters on specific aspects of the voting process on December 26 and explanatory leaflets for members of polling stations regarding new legislation regulations.
    The poster covers the following topics: procedure of receiving absentee ballots and voting by them, voters lists, rules of voting outside polling stations (PSs), information for observers and journalists on permission to be present at PSs and territorial commissions (TCs). The total print-run of posters is 40 000 copies. They will be distributed with the support of the CEC to all PSs. Thus, the Ukrainian citizens can already now get acquainted with this information at the nearest PS.
    Explanatory leaflets for members of the PSs, produced at the request of the CEC, will also be distributed to all PSs. The circulation of these materials will be 100 000 (3 copies per PS). They include short explanations on all articles of the new law related to the activity of PSs and the voting process.
    For further information please contact: Lope Guerrero, Alla Kuyanova, Tel.: (044) 238-23-60, 235-28-94, e-mail: sepu@adamant.net
    Background:
    The project, “Support to the Election Process in Ukraine” is financed by the EU under its Technical Assistance Programme for Ukraine and is implemented by the Bureau for Institutional Reform and Democracy (BiRD) and ICON-Institute Public Sector. It started its activity in 2004, and aims to support the presidential elections in Ukraine. The EU has allocated ? 580.000 to these activities, the beneficiary of which is the Central Election Commission of Ukraine. The project co-operates with the Delegation of the European Commission to Ukraine, the CEC, the Committee of Voters of Ukraine (CVU), and the Centre for Political Education (CPE).
    Training of Potential Electoral Officials and of Judges
    Seminars for potential 600 TC members and 1 500 PS members were carried out in 6 oblasts. Training materials for the seminars and a training video for PS commissioners were produced.
    The project was involved in seminars for judges (180 persons) of regional appellate and local courts. Training materials based on issues raised during the seminars were produced.
    Voter education campaign
    The project focused its efforts on the following target groups: general public, voters under 40 years old, rural voters, election commissioners, and Ukrainians abroad.
    The project produced 6 posters (5 for use inside the country – 40,000 copies each, 1 for Ukrainians abroad – 2,000 copies), 3 video spots and 3 radio spots. On special request of the CEC, the project published the new Law on the Election of the President of Ukraine.
    Most of the posters are distributed by the CEC and posted at every PS.
    Video and radio spots are broadcasted by central and regional TV and radio channels.
    Inserts describing voting procedures for Ukrainians living abroad were published in Ukrainian community media of 15 EU countries.
    Voter registration
    After the elections, the project will focus on issues of voter registration improvement. In order to facilitate agreement on a recommendation document on the issue of a centralized and computerized voter register, the project will collaborate with the CEC and the Verkhovna Rada. A study tour to TACIS/PHARE countries and a project conference for the main stakeholders in connection with the development of an improved national voter registration system are also planned.