Arseniy Yatsenyuk: Ukraine will hold legitimate presidential elections and have duly elected President

On behalf of the Government of Ukraine I assure you: Ukraine will hold legitimate presidential elections and will elect a duly elected President,” the Prime Minister of Ukraine Arseniy Yatsenyuk stressed on Monday, May 19, during a teleconference dedicated to considering how the tasks to prepare and hold early elections of the President of Ukraine are fulfilled.

“Ukraine should elect a legitimately elected Head of State. All Ukrainian citizens should have a chance to come, vote and elect a new Ukrainian President,” Arseniy Yatsenyuk emphasized.

He aired the need to conduct the elections in all the regions of Ukraine without exception: “We realize it will be hard to conduct the election campaign in certain places. But there are few such places and in the end it won’t influence the results of the elections”.

Arseniy Yatsenyuk accentuated it is crucial to ensure “for the citizens of Ukraine an opportunity to get to polling stations and vote”.

The Head of Government reminded the Parliament had endorsed all necessary bills for the elections in Ukraine to be held in a fair and transparent manner, including relevant financing.

According to him, political competition is ensured in the electoral process, many candidates have been registered: “Thus, people can choose any political ideology, any presidential candidate. Hence, it is a guarantee that all ideological aspects will be considered. There is choice, it is necessary only to come and vote”.

The Prime Minister singled out a role of the Central Election Commission, “who in the rough circumstances manage to ensure holding of the election campaign”: “We have one of the most advanced voter registers, while the Central Election Commission has provided for all technical issues necessary for the elections to be held”.

Moreover, he stressed the right of presidential candidates to cover the activities had been provided for by the legislation and Ukrainian media community: “The media have provided access for the presidential candidates in order to deliver their views, declare speeches, place official commercials”.

Arseniy Yatsenyuk informed operative headquarters called to ensure preparation and holding of the elections of the President of Ukraine would be operating on the ground of the Central Election Commission. The First Vice Prime Minister Vitalii Yarema will work in it on behalf of the Government, while all security agencies will be taking active part in it.  

“Everything will be done by the Government to ensure law, order and chance to hold the successful election campaign”.

The teleconference is being held with participation of Government’s members, heads of regional and Kyiv municipal state administrations, representatives of the Central Election Commission, Prosecutor General of Ukraine, representatives of Security Service of Ukraine and territorial subdivisions of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine.