Washington, DC – IRI today announced its plan to send an international delegation to observe Ukraine’s May 25, 2014 presidential election, as well as mayoral elections in some cities. The elections will see the country choose a new president following months of Russian provocations and threats.
Delegates will travel to Ukraine to monitor voting and ballot counting throughout the country. Following the voting, IRI will issue a preliminary statement on the findings of the delegation.
This will be the ninth election IRI has observed in Ukraine since the country’s independence in 1991. IRI observed Ukraine’s 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2007 and 2012 parliamentary elections and the 1999, 2004 and 2010 presidential elections.
IRI’s observation of the 2004 presidential election, along with other international delegations, was instrumental in raising awareness of deficiencies in the electoral system and the outcome. These facts, along with peaceful protests across Ukraine, led to a new election being called.
Prior to the election, delegates will be briefed by political party representatives and Ukrainian election officials. They will also be briefed on the rights and responsibilities of international observers and Ukrainian election law. Delegates will then be deployed throughout the country where they will observe polling stations and identify and evaluate strengths and weaknesses in Ukraine’s election system, including campaign regulations, the balloting process, vote tabulation and reporting.
Since 1983, IRI has monitored more than 154 elections in more than 47 countries.
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