On August 22, 2007, a press conference of the Civil Network OPORA was held at the RBC-Ukraine press center. It announced the results of a study of the regional representation of candidates to the Verkhovna Rada of the VI convocation in the lists of four main political players (PR, BYuT, CPU, NU-NS). \nAccording to its results, 55-60% of deputy seats in the Verkhovna Rada after the elections will be received by representatives of the capital. \nOPORA notes that the PRU and BYuT "took" mandates from the regions in favor of Kyiv, while the CPU and NU-NS added to their own oblasts at the expense of positive forecasts regarding ratings. \nThe party ratings were summarized on the basis of information from 5 sociological services and centers published from July 16 to August 7, 2007 through Ukraine's leading news agencies. Forecasts show that the CPU may gain 31 deputy seats, BYuT – 130, PRU – 193, and NU-NS – 96. During the study of the lists, parties that according to forecasts do not overcome the 3% barrier were not taken into account. \nIncidentally, according to such calculations, Volyn will be represented in the next Parliament by only five deputies: Yevhen KyryLchuk (BYuT), Serhiy Shevchuk (BYuT), Petro Kravchuk (BYuT), Volodymyr Karpuk (NU-NS), Borys Zahreva (NU-NS) \nIn the passing part of the CPU, compared to the V convocation, additional mandates may be received by Donetsk (+1), Rivne (+1), Zhytomyr (+1), Chernihiv (+1), Sumy (+1), Kirovohrad (+1), Poltava (+1), Vinnytsia (+1), Mykolaiv (+1), Odesa (+1) oblasts, the ARC + Sevastopol (+1) and Kyiv (+3). \nNU-NS increased the regional representation of candidates in its own party list. Thus, an increase occurred in Zakarpattia (+3), Ternopil (+2), Chernivtsi (+2), Rivne (+2), Volyn (+1), Chernihiv (+1), Dnipropetrovsk (+1), Donetsk (+3), Kharkiv (+1) oblasts and the ARC+Sevastopol (+1). The capital additionally received 6 potentially passing seats. However, compared to the previous convocation, the representation of Lviv (-2), Kyiv (-3), Cherkasy (-1), Zaporizhzhia (-1) and Odesa (-1) oblasts was reduced. \nThe PRU, unlike the previous convocation, reduced regional representation in all oblasts of Ukraine by an average of 1-3 mandates. An insignificant increase in parliamentary seats is forecast for Poltava (+1) and the ARC+Sevastopol (+1). The PRU secured an extraordinary growth in deputy seats (+34) for the capital of Ukraine – the city of Kyiv. \nBYuT almost duplicated the PRU regarding regional representation in its own lists of candidates from the oblasts of Ukraine. Thus, according to forecasts, 9 oblasts will receive 1-2 fewer mandates compared to the V convocation of the Verkhovna Rada. Additional deputy seats will go to Zakarpattia (+1), Lviv (+1), Volyn (+2) and Mykolaiv (+2) oblasts. And Kyiv additionally adds another 12 "deputy seats" to its account. \nOPORA considers the approach of parties and blocs to the formation of lists and the number of regional representatives included in them to be erroneous. \nAs stated in the report prepared based on the results of observation of the election campaign, the process of forming lists of candidates for people's deputies was undemocratic. In particular, OPORA criticizes the lack of public discussion, the ignoring of proposals from regional organizations, the absence of publications regarding draft lists even after their approval by congresses, etc. \nIn its report, OPORA recommends that parties and blocs disseminate detailed information about their candidates among voters (at a minimum, by posting it on official websites) and in each oblast inform voters about the region's representatives on the list and disseminate detailed information about them. OPORA advises candidates for deputies from each oblast to present to voters their action plans for representing and protecting the interests of the region in the event of their election. \n \n* * * * * \nContacts of the Regional Coordinator of the Program in Volyn Oblast: \nLutsk, tel. (0332) 78-82-89, mobile 8 (067) 41-65-086, E-mail: mike.shelep@gmail.com \n* * * * * \nReference: \nDuring August-September 2007, the Program of long-term observation of the early elections to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine is being implemented throughout the territory of Ukraine. The implementer of this Program is the Civil Network OPORA, including in Volyn - in partnership with the Volyn Oblast Youth Public Organization "Association of Young Reformers (AMoRe)". \nOPORA is an independent All-Ukrainian public organization whose goal is to influence the improvement of social and political standards. \n \n