Washington—Today the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (U.S. Helsinki Commission) announced the following briefing:

Assessing Ukraine’s Parliamentary Elections

Friday, November 16, 2012

10 am – 11:30 am

Room B-318 Rayburn House Office Building

The OSCE and United States assessed Ukraine’s October 28 parliamentary elections as representing a step backwards compared with recent national elections and lacking a level playing field. Voters had a choice between distinct parties and the voting and counting were largely positively assessed, but the counts and tabulation in some closely contested single-mandate districts were problematic. While the ruling party along with Communist allies retains a majority, opposition parties displayed a strong showing, winning the party-list vote in Ukraine’s hybrid system. Experts from three key organizations working on the ground will examine the conduct and results of the election and their implications for Ukraine’s democratic future. 

The following panelists are scheduled to participate:

Thomas Melia, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor

Olha Ajvazovska, Board Chair, Ukrainian citizen network OPORA

Katie Fox, Deputy Director-Eurasia, National Democratic Institute (NDI)

Stephen Nix, Regional Director, Eurasia, International Republican Institute (IRI)

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The Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the U.S. Helsinki Commission, is an independent agency of the Federal Government charged with monitoring compliance with the Helsinki Accords and advancing comprehensive security through promotion of human rights, democracy, and economic, environmental and military cooperation in 56 countries. The Commission consists of nine members from the U.S. Senate, nine from the House of Representatives, and one member each from the Departments of State, Defense, and Commerce.