More fraud in runoff, CVU warns

February06201005:10

According to Chernenko, the vote-rigging tools used in the first round will be used again – on a much larger scale.

The new presidential election law may open the way to massive fraud, he added.

Political opponents have resorted to smearing their opponents disseminating fake leaflets, books and newspapers.

Abuse of power by officials has become one of the major vote-rigging tactics, with officials openly campaigning and pressuring voters to vote for a specific candidate.

O. Chernenko does not rule out the use of electoral tourism when one and the same voters will vote at several polling stations.

 Purposefully damaging ballot boxes and ballots may also occur – to invalidate the votes, Chernenko continued. 
Yet, despite the obvious threats, the CVU feels optimistic about the runoff outcome. “I hope, Ukraine will pass this test, and we’ll see on Monday that, for all the court appeals, the election was democratic,” Chernenko summed up.