Arseniy Yatsenyuk: Any attempts of terrorists to undermine the presidential elections in Donetsk and Luhansk are doomed to failure

Targeting to secure the rule of law and holding of the electoral process in Donetsk and Luhansk regions a separate scheme is being elaborated for the mentioned territories. 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.

“Any attempts of terrorists to undermine the nation-wide elections of President of Ukraine in Donetsk and Luhansk are doomed to failure,” Arseniy Yatsenyuk stressed.

According to him, the activity of mobile groups is viewed necessary in the presidential election process “in order to immediately respond to any signals of fraud”.

Apart from that, Arseniy Yatsenyuk focused on protection of members of district and territorial electoral commissions: “We will hold the election day, but there will be the election night and process of counting votes. It is crucial to ensure the rule of law and safety for those who come to vote and for those who count votes as well”.

He stressed a legitimate President should be elected in Ukraine: “We will ensure equal opportunities for everyone to participate in the electoral process, we have the entire legislative basis for holding the elections”.  

The Government, according to him, has provided financing of the electoral campaign: “I address those whose responsibility includes receiving finance to quickly fill the documents in the Treasury and cover all relevant expenses”.

Moreover, the Head of Government drew attention to the fact that local elections are due to be held on May 25.

Arseniy Yatsenyuk stressed that heads of local state administrations, apart from functions within responsibility of CEC [central electoral commission] and TEC [territorial electoral commission] envisaged by law, should bear personal responsibility for the electoral process to be held: “Regarding assistance, order of law, coordination of all actions of executive authorities in the regions, all these are within personal responsibility of a particular head of each separate administration”.

He reminded the Government of Ukraine had submitted to the Verkhovna Rada a bill on increasing responsibility for violations in the electoral process, which concerns in particular buying and selling votes. The Prime Minister addressed the Parliament of Ukraine on May 20 to consider this bill and approve that as a basis and in whole.  

Besides, the Head of Government addressed law enforcement representatives “by all legal means together with Prosecutor General departments and Security Service of Ukraine to preclude any instances of electoral process violations, buying and selling votes and any attempts to influence the electoral process”.