Well, Ukraine’s presidential election is already one for the history books – even though it’s not yet over.
On March 31, 62.8 percent of eligible voters – close to 18.9 million people – cast their votes. That’s higher than the turnout for the 2014 presidential election, which was 60.29 percent. Citing Central Election Commission information, the UNIAN news agency reported that the highest voter turnout was in the Lviv region (68.88 percent), the Volyn region (68.33 percent) and the city of Kyiv (67.99 percent). The lowest turnout was registered in Zakarpattia (46.99 percent), followed by Chernivtsi (56.07 percent) and Ukrainian-controlled districts in Luhansk region (56.77 percent).
As predicted by numerous polls, political newcomer/comedian Volodymyr Zelensky emerged as the top vote-getter with 30.24 percent. President Petro Poroshenko was a distant second with 15.95 percent of the vote. Mr. Zelensky won the plurality in most oblasts, while the incumbent carried two oblasts and led the voting outside of Ukraine, which was conducted in 101 polling stations in 72 countries. In out-of-country voting, Mr. Poroshenko received 38.93 percent, compared to Mr. Zelensky’s 26.01 percent and Anatoliy Hrytsenko’s 10.64 percent.
The election monitoring missions of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America and the Ukrainian World Congress issued preliminary reports the day after the vote, and all deemed the vote free and fair, with UCCA President Andriy Futey calling it the most transparent election ever in Ukraine. Despite a few violations that were not systemic, the UWC underscored that the “expression of political will was transparent and democratic” and that “the elections corresponded to international standards and reflected the will of Ukrainian people.” In addition, the UWC Mission confirmed numerous disinformation attacks employed against Ukraine by the Russian media as an element of its hybrid war against Ukraine, with UWC Mission chief Eugene Czolij saying this is one of the most serious threats to a free democratic electoral process.
Other election observers, including those of the National Democratic Institute and the International Republican Institute, offered similar assessments.
A news release from the NDI said the first round of the presidential election was “competitive and credible.” Former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine William Taylor, who co-led the delegation, commented: “For the second time since the Revolution of Dignity, despite ongoing Russian aggression, Ukraine held an election that broadly reflects the will of voters and meets key international standards,” but he added that “many important opportunities to protect the credibility of the electoral process should be addressed ahead of the second round.” The NDI noted, among other things, that “candidates should refrain from conducting negative campaigns and disseminating disinformation”; “technology companies should evaluate the role their platforms played in these elections”; and “government bodies and election management bodies should increase efforts to monitor, prevent and sanction the misuse of administrative resources.”
The IRI’s press release noted “a transparent and smooth voting process with Ukraine’s citizens demonstrating a strong commitment to democracy” and said “there were a few instances of minor procedural violations.” It added that “Ukraine was unable to administer elections throughout the country due to the illegal annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation as well as ongoing hostilities in the eastern regions of the Donbas.” IRI President Dr. Daniel Twining explained: “Kremlin aggression is effectively disenfranchising 16 percent of Ukraine’s electorate – the 12 percent who live in Ukrainian territory forcibly occupied by Russia and the 4 percent who are internally displaced because of the conflict.”
The presidential election now heads to a second round: the runoff between Mr. Zelensky and President Poroshenko. The main questions right now: Will Zelensky voters – many of whom are thought to have cast protest votes to reflect their dissatisfaction with the way things are going in Ukraine – continue to support him? For whom will the supporters of unsuccessful candidates vote?
Before the April 21 runoff, there will be at least one debate, maybe more. At press time, details were still being discussed. Our fervent hope is that the voters of Ukraine will see a true debate, not a show (we make that comment since it appears a debate might take place in Kyiv’s 70,000-seat Olympic Stadium). This is much too important an election – with Ukraine facing political, economic and security issues, not to mention a war – for a debate to serve merely as entertainment.
And here’s the bottom line: We encourage all to watch the debate(s), to become familiar with the political positions and backgrounds of the candidates, and then to go out and vote for the future of Ukraine. Your vote can make a difference!