Presidential visit has signs of elections violations, observer says

Signs emerged that Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko
may have engaged in his first elections violations during his Jan. 16 visit to
the Volyn region promoting the creation of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, the
Opora elections observing organization reported that day. The visit, which
occurred using state resources and during which the president discussed
proposals for the next five years, “has the signs of a premature agitation
campaign” since Poroshenko has yet to register his candidacy, Opora said.

In addition, at least nine buses transported hundreds
of local residents to and from the day’s events featuring the president in what
Opora characterized as “signs of centralized transportation.” For example, one
of the buses was provided by a local district administration. Moreover, the
events weren’t open to the public as officials with lists of names screened
those allowed to attend, Opora said.

The National Police of Ukraine has begun to monitor
the presidential election campaign, with 47 reports of violations already
reported this year, Spokesman Yaroslav Trakalo said on Jan. 16. Most of the
violations are related to elections-related publications that did not disclose
where they were printed, as required by law, he said. Police officers will
undergo elections training in February organized by Opora, he said, adding that
violations can be reported by Internet and telephone.

Zenon Zawada: As
relatively minor as these violations were, Poroshenko’s Jan. 16 visit doesn’t
inspire confidence in the fairness of these elections. We share the widely held
view that they will involve abuse of state resources, fraud and vicious tactics
because of the high stakes involved. If Poroshenko is re-elected, it will mark
the beginning of the end of the career of his longtime rival, Yulia Tymoshenko.
If Tymoshenko wins, she will work feverishly to reduce the power and influence
of not only Poroshenko, but most other leading oligarchs.

Poroshenko’s strategy involves employing just
enough state resources, and committing just enough subtle tactics of fraud, to
secure victory without being accused of violating international standards of
being free and fair. Time will tell whether his campaign staff is able to tread
this very thin line. But also working in his favor is Western authorities
understanding that his re-election is the best guarantee of stability in
Ukraine, which is what they desperately seek. So he will be extended much
leniency when attacked with accusations of violations and fraud.