On October 31, 2010, elections of deputies of local councils and village, settlement, and city mayors will be held in Ukraine. For the first time, they will be held separately from parliamentary elections. \nWe, representatives of the public — participants of the round table of the Civic Assembly of Ukraine, believe that there is a real threat of distortion of the results of local elections as a result of: \n•\tdemonstrative violation of procedure during the adoption of the new version of the Law "On Elections of Deputies of the Verkhovna Rada of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, Local Councils and Village, Settlement, City Mayors"; \n•\tcreation of preconditions for monopolization of power in local councils by several largest political forces; \n•\trestriction of the rights of observers from public organizations (local organizations are generally deprived of the right to observe; the possibilities of all-Ukrainian public organizations to carry out election observation have been significantly narrowed); \n•\tincrease in opportunities for falsification of election results through the use of "administrative resource"; \n•\testablishment of too short deadlines for the preparation and conduct of local elections; \n•\tfailure to take into account the requirements and proposals of the public, in particular regarding the introduction of so-called open lists and ensuring the possibility of self-nomination of candidates in local elections. \nDespite the introduction of a mixed election system, the new law did not ensure the realization of the constitutional right of citizens to elect and be elected and preserved for parties a decisive role in nominating candidates. \n \nThe restriction of voters' rights to access information about candidates and political parties, in particular about their election programs, poses a particular threat — from now on, local party organizations and individual candidates are not obliged to submit their programs upon their registration by the relevant election commissions, and therefore — are not obliged to have such programs. It is permitted not to publish the election programs of local party organizations on information posters. Moreover, for candidates for deputies of village, settlement, city (cities of district significance) councils, information posters should not be produced at all. This will significantly increase the irresponsibility of future newly elected deputies of local councils and will make public control over their work in self-government bodies impossible. \n \nWe demand from: \n \n1)\tThe President of Ukraine: \nafter the signing by the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine of the Law "On Elections of Deputies of the Verkhovna Rada of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, Local Councils and Village, Settlement, City Mayors," adopted on July 10, 2010, to immediately exercise the right of veto on this Law and return it for reconsideration by parliament; \n \n2)\tThe Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine: \n•\timmediately publish the text of the Law of Ukraine "On Elections of Deputies of the Verkhovna Rada of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, Local Councils and Village, Settlement, City Mayors," adopted on July 10, 2010; \n•\tafter the signing of the Law by the President or its veto, immediately introduce amendments to the Law that: \no\twill provide for proper access of voters to information about candidates in local elections, in particular — the obligation of candidates and local party organizations (upon their registration by election commissions) to submit election programs; the obligation to publish these programs, \no\twill ensure the possibility of self-nomination of candidates in local elections regardless of any party organizations, \no\twill provide for recognition of the relevant elections as not having taken place if more votes were cast against all candidates in these elections than for the candidate or list of candidates who received the largest number of voter support, \no\tgrant observers from public organizations the same rights that are granted to official observers from parties. \n \nWe call on public organizations, experts, and activists for active coordinated activity that would maximally reduce the potential negative consequences of the entry into force of the new law, namely: \n•\tconducting public observation campaigns for local elections; \n•\tinitiating and conducting information and educational campaigns regarding the election programs of candidates and local party organizations, including through the organization of debates; \n•\tpromoting proper awareness of citizens regarding their electoral rights, duties, and opportunities; \n•\texpanding cooperation with the media for objective coverage of the course of the election campaign and the events of voting day; \n•\tactivating local communities in order to raise important topics for their development and life. \n\nAddress on the GAU website: