University of Ottawa, Canada, March 7-8, 2012 Comments by Judge Bohdan A. Futey

This is the fourth time that the election law is undergoing change in Ukraine since its independence in 1991.  At first the law provided for election of Deputies to Parliament by district (Majoritarian); then mixed one-half majoritarian and one-half by party lists (proportional).  Then party lists only, and now back to a mixed system of elections.  The new law was adopted November 17, 2011 and signed by the President in December of 2011.  It provides for 450 members in parliament:  225 elected by party lists and 225 in single mandate districts.   The vote in Parliament on this law was 366 voted for the law, 6 against, and 5 abstained.  Детальніше-Read More