Ukraine launches asset e-declaration with reported glitches

The Ukrainian government granted on Aug. 31 the long-awaited state certification that was necessary to launch the electronic asset and income declaration system today. As of this morning, the system is functioning on the Internet with some reported glitches. Some users were not able to open the declaration forms, reported the pravda.com.ua news site. The e-declaration website also lacks access to forms that have already been filed. Recall, a Ukrainian state licensing body claimed the system could not be certified owing to technical glitches. EU authorities then insisted that the system be launched on Sept. 1.

In response to reports of glitches, Ukrainian President Poroshenko said on his Facebook page that the system’s problems are of a pseudo-technical nature and will be investigated by international experts and the public. He assured the public of his will to support the system. “Without a doubt, the launch of e-declaration is a revolutionary step that will forever divide state service into the periods of before and after the system’s launch,” he said.

Zenon Zawada: We can thank the EU leadership in Ukraine for the system’s launch and we expect it will be fully functioning rather quickly. The big question now is what will law enforcement authorities do with the information that’s posted there. Most high-ranking officials have some shady dealings involving assets and income. Authorities have to ensure that criminal cases and prosecutions are conducted across the political spectrum, without bias.

Otherwise, the system has the potential to open a Pandora’s box of exacerbated political conflict. The potential for worsening conflict is high in light of the recent battle between the Prosecutor General’s Office, controlled by the president, and the National Anti-Corruption Bureau, widely believed to be independent.