NEWS RELEASES
November 19, 2004 (3:45 p.m. EST) No. 132
MINISTER PETTIGREW CALLS FOR FREE, FAIR AND TRANSPARENT
ELECTION IN UKRAINE
Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew today called for a free, fair and transparent
election in Ukraine on November 21. Voters there are returning to the polls for a second
round after the initial polls on October 31. Minister Pettigrew announced that he is
pleased with the first-round voter turnout of 75 percent, but is concerned that many
electoral process deficiencies impeded a transparent vote.
“As the Ukrainian people proceed to the November runoff vote, Canadians are watching
with a great deal of interest and are hopeful that this vote will be conducted in a free,
fair and transparent manner,” said Minister Pettigrew.
During the first round of voting, international observers identified voting irregularities
such as inaccurate voters’ lists, insufficient time to correct them, court challenges and
significant media bias.
The Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights of the Organization for
Security and Cooperation in Europe has mobilized more than 600 international election
observers, including 36 Canadians, to visit polling stations and tabulation centres.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Sébastien Théberge
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
(613) 995-1851
Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs Canada and
International Trade Canada
(613) 995-1874
http://www.international.gc.ca
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