University of LeicesterSecurity, Conflict and International

Development Symposium 2015

Ukraine Elections: 2014 a Year from Revolution to Conflict

Maureen Poole, LL.B. M.A. M.PhilInternational War Crimes Investigator

Policing Challenges in Ukraine

• Compressed election preparation timeframe• Unresolved conflict• Est. 300,000 IDPs• Damaged infrastructure (phones; roads etc.)• Harassment of Commissioners• Kidnappings of Commissioners• Vigilante justice (Street Lustration)• Vote buying • “Carousel voting”• Availability of police to deploy• Large numbers of observers

Ukraine and Border Countries

Independence (Maiden) Square, Kiev 18.02.2014

Flight MH17 Crash Site - 17.07.2014

Separatists’ Control – 17.09.2014

Ukraine Election Stakeholders

• OSCE – Special Monitoring Mission (Donetsk, Luhansk and elsewhere)

• OSCE – Security Project Co-ordinator• International Observer missions• Domestic observer missions• International and local press• Parties and Candidates• Electoral Commissions • Local Government Administration

Elections: Activism

•Demonstrations•Assemblies•Processions•Rallies•Marches•Parades•Pickets/strikes