Canada Urges Ukrainian Officials to “Do Right” by Voters

November 11, 2012 - Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird and International Cooperation Minister Julian Fantino today issued the following statement:

“Canada is distressed by the lack of openness, transparency and timeliness that has characterized vote tabulation.

“Sadly, this is just the latest in the series of irregularities that has characterized the campaign overall and confirms reports that Ukraine’s parliamentary elections did not meet the democratic standard that Ukrainians have the right to expect.

“Canada urges election authorities and all party leaders to do right by the millions of Ukrainians who attempted to express their democratic rights and be heard, regardless of the party they chose.

“Canada will continue to monitor developments in Ukraine closely and looks forward to receiving the final reports of Mission Canada and other independent election observation missions in the coming weeks.”

Canada sent some 500 election observers to monitor the conduct of these elections. Canada stands strong with the people of Ukraine as they seek to build a nation founded on the values of freedom, democracy, respect for human rights, and the rule of law.