Observations from E-Day by OPORA

Oleksandr Kliuzhev, analyst at the Civil Network OPORA, stated that according to their parallel vote tabulation there was a voter turnout of 49.8% (with a 0.6% margin of error), with higher turnout in Eastern regions compared to Western regions. In general, observers reported that they were provided free access to polling stations and could freely observe the elections.

Kliuzhev identified the illegal issuance of ballots was wide-spread on E-day. Especially in rural areas OPORA observed that voters received their ballots without providing necessary identifying documents and that the ratio of these offences was quite high. “It is important to educate the electorate about the illegality of obtaining ballots without proper documentation”, said Kliuzhev. “It is particularly important in advance of the next round of the elections.”

OPORA also recorded that 17% of polling stations opened earlier than 08:00, which violates electoral procedures. “This and other violations indicates that members of election commissions require more training to be better informed about procedures before the second round of elections”, said Kliuzhev. The frequent changes of election commission members have affected the performance of the election commissions.

Up until now the voting process was peaceful but no final statements can be made until the final count and tabulation of votes occurred and the overall Election Day procedures have been completed. No direct attempts of falsifying the vote were recorded by OPORA, such as through ballot box stuffing.