14 June 2010, 15:32
Volodymyr Lytvyn, Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, referred the Draft Electoral Code of Ukraine to the Venice Commission. The Head of the Parliament made this announcement at the Monday´s briefing. "I have referred the Draft Electoral Code of Ukraine to the Venice Commission at the request of the working group", he stated and reminded that the working group headed by People´s Deputy Yurii Kliuchkovskyi was the author of the draft.
At the request of the journalists, V.Lytvyn explained that the Venice Commission was also willing to scrutinize the law on reforms of the judicial system and the status of judges, and make respective conclusions. However, the Head of the Parliament stated that such an appeal could be initiated after the profile parliamentary committee worked out all the motions to this bill. The deadline for submitting the motions is 17 June, V.Lytvyn reminded. "Let the Committee work out all the motions, then we will see whether there is a subject of appeal to the Venice Commission, since there may be controversial motions disrupting the integrity of the bill", he stated.
The Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine called for ensuring strict conformity of the bill to the Constitution of Ukraine. V.Lytvyn reminded of the declarations of the President of Ukraine who objected to the hasty adoption of the bill.
As to the procedural deadlines for scrutinizing the bill, V.Lytvyn drew attention to the duration of this procedure. Considering the sufficient time span, V.Lytvyn expects that a common stand regarding this law will be reached. "I believe that the work should be completed once and for all without further adjustments, since Ukraine is being monitored", V.Lytvyn stated.