The President Petro Poroshenko is disadvantaged by the change in the electoral system, since the abolition of the majoritarian component will deprive the authorities of the opportunity to buy districts. This was stated by the head of UKROP, MP Taras Batenko.
“Petro Poroshenko needs to preserve the existing political system and himself in this political system. Elections with a majoritarian part and constituencies that can be bought for budget money give the president every chance to do it,” said Taras Batenko.
The MP has noted that the draft of the Electoral Code voted by the Parliament in the first reading cancels voting in majoritarian constituencies and, accordingly, eliminates the possibility for their purchase. Instead, the document is to introduce open lists of political parties. Thus, the proposed changes reduce the possibilities for administrative influence on the elections and increase the chances of the new political forces to come to the Verkhovna Rada.
Currently, the final version of the document is finalized within a special working group, which includes the MPs from UKROP. Parliamentarians are drafting amendments to be submitted to the draft during its consideration in the second reading.
“I think there will be enough work for another week or more than a month. But sooner or later we will refine this Electoral Code and come to an agreed, revised document,” added Taras Batenko.
According to the UKROP member, the next elections should take place not only according to the new legislation, but also with the renewed Central Election Commission. The term of office of the current CEC has expired, so any election in the country can be challenged at the stage of its calling. However, the presidential faction deliberately does not allow the appointment of the new members of commission.
“The BPP faction slows down a number of fundamental votes in the Verkhovna Rada. This is the case, for example, of a new CEC or anticorruption initiatives,” said the MP.
On May 17 the representatives of the UKROP political party take part in the actions in support of the new electoral law in all regions of Ukraine.
On November 7, 2017 the Verkhovna Rada supported the draft law No. 3112-1 “Draft Electoral Code of Ukraine” in the first reading. 226 MPs voted for the document.
