Volodymyr Lytvyn, Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine: Introduction of Amendments to the Law on Local Elections is called forth by Political, not Legal Reasons
At the Thursday´s briefing, Volodymyr Lytvyn, Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, declared that introduction of amendments to the Law on Local Elections is called forth by political, not legal reasons.
"This issue is called forth not by some political reasons, as there are no infringements upon the rights of citizens or political parties," he stated. V.Lytvyn announced that he had signed the decree on the holding of an extraordinary parliamentary session on 30 August. Thus, the bill on amendments to the law on the local elections is on the agenda. The bill on amendments to the Law of Ukraine "On the State Guarantees of the Ukrainian Citizens´ Savings Recovery" (re savings recovery procedure) and on realization of the social security action plan due to fixation of tariffs for public utility services shall also be scrutinized.
As to the amendments to the law on the local elections, the Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine informed that three bills overlapping in certain provisions had been registered. He suggested that all those who criticize the adopted Law should read the applicable Law on the political parties, according to which, a political party shall register party representative offices in the cities, districts and regions within six months since its registration. The party shall notify of the establishment of these offices within a year.
The Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine believes that "willingness to cease political accusations that reached far beyond the state borders" is the main reason for the convocation of an extraordinary session.
V.Lytvyn informed the mass media representatives that the bill submitted by People´s Deputy O.Yefremov, Party of Regions member, extends the participation of parties in the formation of election commissions to prevent accusations that parliamentary parties commissioned themselves to count the voices at the local elections.
As to the restoration of participation of electoral blocs in the election campaign, the Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine stated that "this idea expired." "It also concerns the mayors. The mayors of major cities are already the members of certain political parties," he stated. Moreover, he believes that the opposition forces will complain if the parties whose representative offices have been registered within less than a year before the elections are allowed to stand in elections. "I think they oppose this idea for fear of intentions to take away their potential," the Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine stated.