COD Accredited with Largest International Delegation in Ukraine

Kyiv, Ukraine – The Committee for Open Democracy is the largest observation delegation for this Sunday’s special Verkhovna Rada constituency elections in seven parliamentary districts throughout Ukraine. The Central Election Commission accredited 21 COD observers from six countries for the elections which are being administered to fill seats left open by ministerial appointments, elections to local government offices and one death.

“COD’s presence at these special Rada elections carries on its tradition of monitoring elections at all levels in Ukraine,” said Executive Director Brian Mefford. “We hope Ukraine builds on the operational success of the presidential, parliamentary and local elections cycles in 2014 and 2015 to ensure honest, accountable, accurate elections in these seven elections on July 17.”

There are 371 registered candidates for parliamentary seats in the seven constituencies located across the country. The seven constituencies represent 1,206 polling stations in total. The Special Elections will take place in Volyn District Number 23, Dnipropetrovsk District Number 27, Ivano Frankivsk District Number Luhansk District Number 114, Poltava District Number 151, Kherson District Number 183 and Chernihiv District Number 206.

COD has observed 17 international elections in eight countries since it was established in 2010. COD’s past election observations include: The 2014 Ukrainian Presidential election, the 2014 and 2012 Ukrainian Parliamentary elections, 2013 Ukrainian Special Parliamentary by-elections, the 2010 and 2015 national local elections in Ukraine, special Ukrainian local elections in 2012 and 2013, the 2015 Lithuanian local elections, the 2012 Slovenian Presidential election, the 2014 Slovenian Parliamentary elections, the 2010 and 2014 Moldovan Parliamentary elections, the 2012 Montenegrin Parliamentary elections, the 2013 Montenegrin Presidential election, the 2014 Scottish independence referendum, the 2013 Albanian Parliamentary elections and the 2013 Bulgarian Parliamentary elections.
“Ukraine is moving through a challenging time,” COD Board Chair Tom Nolan said. “But, these special parliamentary elections this Sunday are further evidence the country is advancing along the path of democratic reform. COD is pleased to be a part of Ukraine’s progress.”