Hundreds Rally For New Electoral Laws in Kyiv

Hundreds of Ukrainians have converged in front of parliament in Kyiv to demand long-promised electoral reform.

Demonstrators are calling for the abolition of an electoral law that was adopted during the presidency of ousted Viktor Yanukovych, under which deputies are elected according to a majority vote system with closed party lists. Instead, they want to see the adoption of an electoral code, which will allow parliamentary elections to be held on a proportional system with open regional lists.

It was among President Petro Poroshenko’s election promises four years ago, but months away from the 2019 general election, Ukrainian officials are dragging their feet on the reform.

The event, titled “No! Elections under the law of Yanukovych”, was organized by “Chesno”, a civil movement aimed at boosting transparency and accountability in Ukrainian politics, as well as a number of groups, parties and officials. They include the European Party of Ukraine, Svoboda and National Corps.

“I myself was elected through the majority vote system and I can say that it’s the root of evil. Deputies enter parliament by buying votes in their respective regions, all the while retaining their business interests. We are demanding change,” Svoboda deputy Yuriy Levchenko said.

Participants at the rally today said there is every chance to bring in the changes, since deputies have been reviewing the bill this year.

“If thousands, not hundreds of people show up here, then we can influence real change to this hardline system towards fair and democratic elections. Deputies need a light kick in one place, so loud statements from the public can demand a fulfillment of their promises,” said Andriy, who was among those present at the rally.

A system of proportional representation with open lists would bring in 27 large electoral districts, where parties will put forward five candidates for each. Voters will then be able to vote for particular candidates as well as their preferred party.