Amendments made to the law on the coming elections
The Verkhovna Rada has approved amendments proposed by the Leader of the Party of the Regions O. Yefremov to the law on the election of deputies to the Crimean Supreme Council, local councils and the election of the heads of villages, towns, and cities. The bill with amendments received 264 votes.
The restriction preventing parties not registered more than a year before the elections from taking part has been removed.
The changes also increase the number of members of territorial electoral commissions to 18. They allow candidates for these commissions to be put forward by local branches of any parties registered in Ukraine, not just those represented in the Verkhovna Rada, however there is a strict ratio. 15 members must be from parties in parliament, while three from other parties, chosen through a draw.
Given the serious criticism from both Ukrainian and American analysts of this law, it is unlikely that these changes will be deemed sufficient.
New information reported at: http://unian.net/ukr/news/news-393267.html