Only a total of 203 MPs supported the draft law.
The aim of the Bill on Electoral Procedure consisted of technical and legal finalization of certain provisions of the Election Code of Ukraine. In particular, it provided for improvement of the procedure of nomination and registration of candidates, having regard to changes in the administrative and territorial structure of Ukraine. The draft law was meant to harmonize the provisions of the Law “On Self-Government in Ukraine” related to the powers of the elected community leaders and termination of their powers.
In addition, the Bill “On Amending Certain Legislative Acts of Ukraine to Adjust Some Electoral Procedures” included adjustment and harmonization of certain provisions of the election legislation for the purpose of unification of all procedures related to the preparation, organization, and conduct of elections. Thus, taking into account the new approach to the election of elected community leaders – by way of indirect elections, the bill aimed to achieve mutual harmonization of some provisions of the election legislation and of the legislation on local self-government. In particular, according to the current legislation, the elected community leaders are not elected at local elections; instead, they are appointed by local councils.
Also, there would be a substantial strengthening of the requirements regarding limitation of election campaigning methods so as to provide for a level playing ground for the candidates.
In general, the adoption of the Law should have allowed to organize the next local elections in 2020, taking into account the approval of the new administrative-territorial system in Ukraine.