Section 1. Methodological Framework
Justification
Areas of Application
Types of Indicators
Evaluation System
Conditions for Successfully Passing the Audit
Levels of Evaluation
Evaluation Matrix
Methods of Collecting the Information
Where the Audit Must Be Conducted
Section 2. Audit Indicators
Stage 1. Prerequisites for Conducting the Audit
Primary Criteria
Stage 2. Security
Mandatory Criteria
Optional Criteria
Stage 3. Socio-economic Situation
Mandatory Criteria
Optional Criteria
Stage 4. Democratic Processes
Mandatory Criteria
Optional Criteria
Appendix. Passport of the Community
Section 3. Legal Framework
LEGAL REGULATION
IMPLEMENTATION
TIMELINE
Section 1. Methodological Framework
Justification
Under the legal regime of martial law introduced due to Russia's unprovoked armed aggression on February 24, 2022, holding elections in Ukraine is impossible. Following the termination of martial law (the war), during the preparation for the electoral process, Ukraine will face a number of security challenges related to the consequences of the Russian full-scale invasion.
These challenges will concern a wide range of issues, from the state of electoral infrastructure and heavily mined territories to the safety of voters casting their ballots. Conditions for holding elections in different territories may vary significantly, and response scenarios to such challenges must be prepared in advance.
To determine the possibility or impossibility of organizing elections in certain communities or territories and to make an informed decision based solely on reliable and official data, a multi-level security audit must be conducted.
For such an audit, criteria, indicators, and the authorities responsible for data collection and verification should be established at the level of law.
This approach will minimize political arguments in determining the communities and territories where it is possible or impossible to hold elections. It will also apply common approaches to assessing the security situation and planning the necessary investments for future capacity development, while creating an opportunity for public oversight.
Therefore, a security situation audit of communities is a universal tool for monitoring organizational capacity. It will ensure a transparent decision-making system regarding the possibility or impossibility of holding elections in certain territories, accessible to both society and international partners.
Areas of Application
The audit conducted using this methodology establishes objective criteria for a comprehensive assessment of the situation in a community or specific territory. This allows for the analysis of:
- Readiness for security challenges: The level of the security situation in the community and how effectively the local authorities are able to respond to potential threats.
- The dynamics of socio-economic processes: Whether the community's vital functions are maintained and whether its residents have access to services that guarantee basic social and economic conditions for the population (healthcare, financial and postal services, etc.).
- The feasibility of implementing electoral procedures: An assessment of the conditions for holding free and fair elections, and the availability of organizational capacities to support the electoral process.
The methodology is recommended for use by state authorities to assess the possibility of holding or not holding the electoral process in the territories of specific communities, and by civil society organizations to exercise oversight over the activities of authorities.
Types of Indicators
-
Baseline ("entry conditions"): Must be 100% fulfilled; otherwise, the community automatically fails the audit.
- Mandatory: Must be at least partially fulfilled (a minimum of 0.5 points for each). A score of zero for any indicator means the audit is failed.
- Optional: Non-fulfillment of these criteria does not halt the audit, but at each stage where they are applied, a minimum score is required to successfully pass that specific stage.
Evaluation System
The evaluation is conducted using 35 indicators, grouped into 4 blocks and 4 stages.
|
Stage |
Block Name |
Type of Indicators |
Passing Conditions |
|
1 |
Prerequisites for conducting the audit |
Primary (3 indicators) |
All must be "yes" |
|
2 |
Security |
Mandatory (6 indicators) |
≥0,5 for each |
|
Optional (2 indicators) |
≥0.5 out of 2 possible points |
||
|
3 |
Socio-economic situation |
Mandatory (9 indicators) |
≥0.5 for each |
|
Optional (5 indicators) |
≥2 out of 5 possible points |
||
|
4 |
Democratic processes |
Mandatory (5 indicators) |
≥0.5 for each |
|
Optional (5 indicators) |
≥2 out of 5 possible points |
Conditions for Successfully Passing the Audit
-
Each stage is scored as 1 point (successful) or 0 points (failed).
-
Only communities that score 4 out of 4 points are considered to have passed the audit and to be ready for elections.
- A lower score means the audit is failed, but the evaluation allows for the identification of problem areas for further improvement.
Levels of Evaluation
The evaluation takes place at the community level, but for 5 specific indicators, an additional audit may be conducted at the level of individual settlements or polling stations:
- Hazard status regarding contamination of the community's territory with explosive objects.
- Safe road infrastructure.
- Availability and equipment of the protective structures system.
- Electricity supply.
- Availability and condition of electoral infrastructure.
If individual settlements or polling stations within a community do not meet the established criteria, elections can still be held in other, safe areas of the community.
Ultimately, the proposed approach involves developing alternative solutions to ensure voters from such areas have the opportunity to vote, specifically by planning election day logistics.
Evaluation Matrix
|
Stage |
Stage Name |
Condition for Passing |
Final Score |
Conclusion |
|
Section 1. Prerequisites for conducting the audit |
||||
|
1. |
Baseline ("entry conditions") |
The answer to questions No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3 is "yes" |
1 |
The community passes the audit and proceeds to the next stage of evaluation |
|
The answer to any of the questions is "no |
0 |
The community fails the audit |
||
|
Section 2. Security |
||||
|
2 |
Mandatory criteria |
A minimum of 0.5 points obtained for each indicator |
1 |
The community passes the audit and proceeds to the next stage of evaluation |
|
Optional criteria |
A minimum of 0.5 out of 2 possible points obtained |
|||
|
Mandatory criteria |
0 points obtained for one of the indicators |
0 |
The community fails the audit |
|
|
Optional criteria |
0 points obtained based on the evaluation results |
|||
|
Section 3. Socio-economic situation |
||||
|
3 |
Mandatory criteria |
A minimum of 0.5 points obtained for each indicator |
1 |
The community passes the audit and proceeds to the next stage of evaluation |
|
Optional criteria |
A minimum of 2 out of 5 possible points obtained |
|||
|
Mandatory criteria |
0 points obtained for one of the indicators |
0 |
The community fails the audit |
|
|
Optional criteria |
Less than 2 points obtained in total |
|||
|
Section 4. Democratic processes |
||||
|
4. |
Mandatory criteria |
A minimum of 0.5 points obtained for each indicator |
1 |
The community passes the audit. |
|
Optional criteria |
A minimum of 2 out of 5 possible points obtained |
|||
|
Mandatory criteria |
0 points obtained for one of the indicators |
0 |
The community fails the audit |
|
|
Optional criteria |
Less than 2 points obtained in total |
|||
Methods of Collecting the Information
The key method of information collection used is requests for access to public information.
To collect information, requests were sent to:
- CEC (Central Election Commission).
- State Emergency Service of Ukraine.
- National Police.
- National Council of Television and Radio Broadcasting of Ukraine.
- Military administrations.
- Local self-government bodies.
In cases where an authority or local self-government body failed to respond to a request, alternative methods were used to find the information:
- Field observation.
- In-depth interviews.
- OSINT (Open-Source Intelligence).
Following the adoption of relevant legislative amendments and during the implementation phase of the security assessment regarding the possibility or impossibility of holding elections, the body designated as responsible for information collection will be able to receive the necessary data from other authorities within the scope of its powers.
The tools listed above can be used for public oversight over the audit process.
Where the Audit Must Be Conducted
Mandatory security audits must be conducted in communities that meet the following criteria:
- Located within a 60-kilometer zone from the line of contact or the border with Russia, or where combat operations took place on the community's territory.
- Were temporarily occupied for more than 1 year.
- More than 20% of the polling station premises are unfit for organizing and conducting voting.
In other communities, the security audit may be conducted on an optional basis.
Section 2. Audit Indicators
Stage 1. Prerequisites for Conducting the Audit
Primary Criteria
Compliance with these criteria is a baseline prerequisite for conducting the security audit. In the case of a "yes" or "partially" answer to questions No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3, the evaluation proceeds to the next question, while a "no" answer means the community fails the audit. Further evaluation based on the criteria for Stages 2, 3, and 4 is conducted solely to identify other problems in the organization of the electoral process within the community's territory.
- Is the community under the control of the Ukrainian authorities?
- Yes, completely — holding elections is possible.
- Yes, partially — holding elections is possible in specific areas of the community.
- No — holding elections is impossible; the audit is discontinued.
- Has the legal regime of martial law or any other special regime prohibiting the holding of elections on the territory of the community been lifted?
- Yes — holding elections is possible.
- No — holding elections is impossible.
- Have there been no shellings or strikes (missiles, kamikaze drones, artillery, etc.) on the territory of the community over the past three months?
- Yes — holding elections is possible.
- No — holding elections is impossible.
Sources of information: local self-government body, military/state administration.
Stage 2. Security
Mandatory Criteria
Each of the criteria listed below must be fulfilled at least partially (0.5 points), as the failure to meet even one of them directly impacts the organization of the electoral process. In the event of non-compliance with any single criterion, the community fails the audit.
If the community passes the audit based on the mandatory criteria, the evaluation then proceeds to the optional criteria.
- Hazard status regarding contamination of the community's territory with explosive objects.
Three types of territory:
- "Excluded territory" (territory where non-technical survey revealed no indirect or direct evidence of contamination with explosive objects);
- "Suspected hazardous area" (territory considered likely contaminated with explosive objects based on indirect evidence);
- "Confirmed hazardous area" (territory considered contaminated with explosive objects based on direct evidence).
Type of criterion: Mandatory (if less than 1 point is scored, the evaluation is conducted at the level of individual settlements or polling stations within the community).
|
100% of the territory is classified by hazard status as "excluded territory." There are no territories classified as "suspected hazardous area" or "confirmed hazardous area." |
1 point |
|
There are specific areas within the community (no more than 20%) classified by hazard status as "suspected hazardous area" or "confirmed hazardous area." |
0.5 points |
|
More than 20% of the community's territory is classified by hazard status as "suspected hazardous area" or "confirmed hazardous area." |
0 points |
Sources of information: State Emergency Service of Ukraine, Main Directorate of Mine Action of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.
- Safe road infrastructure.
Type of criterion: Mandatory (if less than 1 point is scored, the evaluation is conducted at the level of individual settlements or polling stations within the community).
|
The maximum score is awarded if all requirements are met simultaneously:
|
1 point |
|
The average score is awarded if one of the following requirements is met:
|
0.5 points |
|
The minimum score is awarded if at least two of the following requirements are met:
|
0 points |
Source of information: State Emergency Service of Ukraine.
- Performance of the National Police according to response arrival time standards.
Type of criterion: Mandatory
The recommended arrival time for a police patrol at the scene from the moment of dispatch to respond to an offense or incident (taking into account an average vehicle speed of 40–50 km/h) is:
- Within city limits:
- Up to 7 minutes — provided the patrol is located within the rapid response zone;
- Up to 10 minutes — if a patrol from another (neighboring) service area is deployed;
- In rural areas:
- Up to 20 minutes — provided the patrol is located within the rapid response zone;
- Up to 40 minutes — if a patrol from another sector is deployed.
|
The maximum score is awarded if all requirements are met in the community:
|
1 point |
|
The average score is awarded if at least two of the following conditions are met within the community:
|
0.5 points |
|
The minimum score is awarded if fewer than two of the following conditions are met within the community:
|
0 points |
Sources of information: National Police, local self-government body.
- Emergency response
Arrival time standards for state fire and rescue units at the scene must not exceed 10 minutes within city limits, and 20 minutes in settlements outside city limits. Taking into account weather conditions, seasonal factors, and road conditions, arrival time standards may be exceeded, but by no more than 5 minutes.
Type of criterion: Mandatory
|
The maximum score is awarded if all requirements are met in the community:
|
1 point |
|
The average score is awarded if at least two of the following conditions are met within the community:
|
0.5 points |
|
The minimum score is awarded if fewer than two of the following conditions are met within the community:
|
0 points |
Sources of information: State Emergency Service of Ukraine, local self-government body.
- Availability and condition of the emergency alert system ("air raid siren").
Type of criterion: Mandatory.
|
The physical alert system is operational in every settlement within the community. In addition, online options for air raid notifications (mobile app, chat-bot, etc.) as well as radio and television alerts are available as supplementary options. |
1 point |
|
The physical alert system is not operational in every settlement, but it covers at least 70% of the community's population. For alerts in other settlements, online notification options (mobile app, chat-bot, etc.) are utilized. Other notification methods known to the local population, such as tolling church bells, may also be used. |
0.5 points |
|
The physical alert system is absent within the community's territory or covers less than 70% of the community's population. |
0 points |
Sources of information: State Emergency Service of Ukraine, local self-government body, military/state administration.
- Availability and equipment of the protective structures system (if less than 1 point is scored, the evaluation is conducted at the level of individual settlements or polling stations within the community).
Type of criterion: Mandatory.
|
All buildings within the community housing PECs (Precinct Election Commissions), DECs (District Election Commissions), or TECs (Territorial Election Commissions) are equipped with civil defense protective structures or are located at a distance of no more than 300 meters (for multi-story areas) or 500 meters (for private housing areas) from such structures. The protective structures are in proper technical condition and comply with the maintenance and operational requirements established by current legislation. |
1 point |
|
More than 50% of the buildings within the community housing PECs, DECs, or TECs are equipped with civil defense protective structures or are located at a distance of no more than 300 meters (for multi-story areas) or 500 meters (for private housing areas) from such structures. These protective structures are in proper technical condition and comply with the maintenance and operational requirements established by current legislation. |
0.5 points |
|
Less than 50% of the buildings within the community housing PECs, DECs, or TECs are equipped with civil defense protective structures or are located at a distance of no more than 300 meters (for multi-story areas) or 500 meters (for private housing areas) from such structures. These protective structures comply with the maintenance and operational requirements established by current legislation. |
0 points |
Source of information: State Emergency Service of Ukraine.
Optional Criteria
The fulfillment of each of the following criteria is desirable, as the implementation of these options directly impacts the execution of electoral and other procedures.
The community passes the audit based on the optional criteria if it scores a total of at least 0.5 out of 1 possible point.
- Level of societal threats
Type of criterion: Optional.
|
No cases of threats or attacks against civic and political figures, public officials, or local self-government authorities have been officially recorded or reported in the public domain within the community over the past 3 months. |
1 point |
|
Up to 2 cases of threats or attacks against civic and political figures, public officials, or local self-government authorities have been officially recorded or reported in the public domain within the community over the past 3 months. |
0.5 points |
|
3 or more cases of threats or attacks against civic and political figures, public officials, or local self-government authorities have been officially recorded or reported in the public domain within the community over the past 3 months. |
0 points |
Sources of information: National Police, media and public domain monitoring.
- Mine-related incidents over the past 3 months resulting in civilian casualties or injuries
Type of criterion: Optional.
|
No cases of mine-related incidents over the past 3 months resulting in civilian casualties or injuries have been recorded. |
1 point |
|
Isolated cases of mine-related injury or death (up to 5 cases) have occurred. |
0.5 points |
|
Frequent cases of civilian mine-related death or injury (5 or more cases) have occurred. |
0 points |
Source of information: State Emergency Service of Ukraine,
Stage 3. Socio-economic Situation
Mandatory Criteria
Each of the following criteria must be fulfilled at least partially (0.5 points), as the failure to meet even one of them directly impacts the organization of the electoral process. In the event of non-compliance with any single criterion, the community fails the audit.
If the community passes the audit based on the mandatory criteria, the evaluation then proceeds to the optional criteria.
- Functioning of shops and availability of goods.
Type of criterion: Mandatory.
|
The maximum score is awarded if all of the following conditions are met within the community:
|
1 point |
|
The average score is awarded if at least one of the following conditions is met:
|
0.5 points |
|
The minimum score is awarded if at least one of the following conditions is met:
|
0 points |
Sources of information: local self-government bodies / military administrations.
- Mobile network coverage.
Type of criterion: Mandatory (the evaluation should be conducted for all settlements within the community).
|
Mobile network coverage from two or more mobile operators operates reliably in at least 90% of the community's settlements (territory). |
1 point |
|
0.5 points |
|
Mobile network coverage is practically non-functional in the community's settlements, with outages occurring constantly and unpredictably. |
0 points |
Sources of information: mobile network operators.
- Internet access
Type of criterion: Mandatory (the evaluation should be conducted for all settlements within the community).
|
Access to wired internet or its alternative in the form of 4G functions stably in at least 90% of the community's settlements (territory). |
1 point |
|
Access to the internet or its alternative in the form of 4G is available only in the administrative center of the community and in individual settlements; its operation is stable, and its quality is satisfactory; OR in the event of an absence of internet on the territory of the community, local authorities are provided with access to Starlink broadband internet. |
0.5 points |
|
Internet access is virtually non-existent on the territory of the community; the internet is unstable and unpredictable, and outages occur frequently |
0 points |
Sources of information: local self-government bodies / military administrations.
- Operation of emergency medical services
The response time of emergency medical teams is regulated by Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 1271. For critical calls, teams must arrive within 10 minutes; for emergency calls, within 20 minutes.
Type of criterion: Mandatory.
|
The 103/112 emergency hotline is operational in the community, and emergency medical services are provided in accordance with the standard arrival time for teams (20 minutes for emergency calls). |
1 point |
|
The 103/112 emergency hotline is operational in the community, but emergency medical teams arrive behind schedule (exceeding the 20-minute standard). |
0.5 points |
|
The community is unable to provide emergency medical services and/or the 103/112 emergency hotline is not operational. |
0 points |
Sources of information: regional military / state administration.
- Electricity supply
Type of criterion: Mandatory (if the score is less than 1 point, the assessment is conducted for individual settlements/districts of the community).
|
Over the past three months, there have been no blackouts (uncontrolled power outages lasting more than 12 hours) on the territory of the community. |
1 point |
|
Over the past two months, there have been no blackouts (uncontrolled power outages lasting more than 12 hours) on the territory of the community. |
0.5 points |
|
There have been blackouts (uncontrolled power outages lasting more than 12 hours) within the last month, OR there are settlements in the community where people reside that are permanently without electricity supply. |
0 points |
Sources of information: service providers.
- Proper functioning of educational institutions
Type of criterion: Mandatory.
|
The maximum score is awarded if all of the following conditions are met in the community:
|
1 point |
|
The mid-range score is awarded if at least two of the following conditions are met in the community:
|
0.5 points |
|
The minimum score is awarded if at least two of the following conditions are met in the community:
|
0 points |
Sources of information: local self-government body, military / state administration.
- Operation of Administrative Service Centers (TsNAP) and Civil Registry Offices (DRATs)
Type of criterion: Mandatory.
|
The full range of basic administrative services is provided within the community: civil registration (births, marriages, deaths); residence registration; passport services; and real estate and business registration. |
1 point |
|
Basic administrative services are only partially provided within the community, or there is an insufficient number of staff to ensure quality service delivery, yet services can still be obtained. Additionally, consultants are available to assist with accessing services online. |
0.5 points |
|
Basic administrative services are not provided within the community. |
0 points |
Sources of information: local self-government body, military / state administration.
- Work of postal operators
Type of criterion: Mandatory.
|
The maximum score is awarded if all of the following conditions are met in the community:
|
1 point |
|
The mid-range score is awarded if at least one of the following conditions is met in the community:
|
0.5 points |
|
No delivery service is operational in the community. |
0 points |
Sources of information: service providers.
- Access to Ukrainian radio and television
Type of criterion: Mandatory.
Сoverage maps may be used as an additional reference.
|
Ukrainian television channels and radio stations function stably in at least 90% of the community's settlements (territory). |
1 point |
|
Access to Ukrainian television and radio is available only in certain settlements, or only television or only radio is functional. |
0.5 points |
|
Access to Ukrainian television and radio is virtually non-existent in the settlements of the community; services are unstable and unpredictable, and outages occur frequently. |
0 points |
Sources of information: National Council of Television and Radio Broadcasting of Ukraine.
Optional Criteria
The fulfillment of each of the following criteria is desirable, as the implementation of these options directly impacts the execution of electoral and other procedures.
The community passes the audit based on the optional criteria if it scores a total of at least 2 out of 5 possible points.
- Functioning of state and/or private banks, operational ATMs
Type of criterion: Optional
|
The maximum score is awarded if all of the following conditions are met simultaneously in the community:
|
1 point |
|
The mid-range score is awarded if at least two of the following conditions are met in the community:
|
0.5 points |
|
The minimum score is awarded if fewer than two of the following conditions are met in the community:
|
0 points |
Sources of information: state and private banks.
- Operation of healthcare institutions
Type of criterion: Optional.
|
The maximum score is awarded if all of the following conditions are met:
|
1 point |
|
The mid-range score is awarded if at least one of the following conditions is met in the community:
|
0.5 points |
|
The minimum score is awarded if at least one of the following conditions is met in the community:
|
0 points |
Sources of information: local self-government body, military / state administration.
- Uninterrupted operation of the State Treasury
Type of criterion: Optional.
|
The State Treasury Service branch serving the community operates at pre-war levels, and delays in payments are either non-existent or last less than 2 months. |
1 point |
|
The State Treasury Service branch serving the community is operational, but there are significant delays in payments exceeding 2 months, or delays occur only on non-protected (discretionary) expenditures. |
0.5 points |
|
The State Treasury Service branch serving the community is not operational. |
0 points |
Sources of information: State Treasury Service of Ukraine.
- Operation of the Pension Fund branch
Type of criterion: Optional.
|
The Pension Fund in the community operates at pre-war levels. |
1 point |
|
The Pension Fund in the community is operational, but its functions (schedule and services) are limited. |
0.5 points |
|
The Pension Fund in the community is not operational. |
0 points |
Sources of information: Pension Fund of Ukraine.
- Operation of public transport
Type of criterion: Optional.
|
Suburban and regional transport connections are available, operating according to schedule and along established routes. |
1 point |
|
The number of suburban and regional transport connections has decreased compared to pre-war levels, the number of active routes has been reduced, or there is existing damage to the transport infrastructure. |
0.5 points |
|
Suburban and regional transport connections are completely unavailable. The territory of the community can only be reached by private transport, or entry to the territory of the community is completely prohibited. |
0 points |
Sources of information: local self-government body, military / state administration.
Stage 4. Democratic Processes
Mandatory Criteria
Each of the following criteria must be fulfilled at least partially (0.5 points), as the failure to meet even one of them directly impacts the organization of the electoral process. In the event of non-compliance with any single criterion, the community fails the audit.
If the community passes the audit based on the mandatory criteria, the evaluation then proceeds to the optional criteria.
- Availability and condition of election infrastructure
Type of criterion: Mandatory (if the score is less than 1 point, the assessment is conducted for individual settlements/voting districts of the community).
|
There is no damage to the election infrastructure on the territory of the community, or the premises have been restored, or alternative premises have been provided. |
1 point |
|
50% or less of the election infrastructure (specifically polling premises) is destroyed (including decay over time) or damaged to such an extent that it cannot be restored within 60 days, but the local authorities can provide alternative premises. |
0.5 points |
|
More than 50% of the election infrastructure (specifically polling premises) is destroyed (including decay over time) or damaged to such an extent that it cannot be restored within 60 days, and it is only partially possible to provide alternative polling premises. |
0 points |
If a voting district facility is damaged (assessed by local authorities as unrestorable within 60 days) or destroyed, voting logistics should be designed around the remaining active polling stations, alternative election premises, or temporary structures to ensure that voters in this area are still able to cast their ballots.
Sources of information: local self-government body, military / state administration.
- Availability and condition of election infrastructure
Type of criterion: Mandatory.
|
There are no restrictions on holding peaceful assemblies. |
1 point |
|
There are restrictions on holding peaceful assemblies, and obtaining prior permission from local authorities is required. |
0.5 points |
|
All peaceful assemblies are strictly prohibited. |
0 points |
Sources of information: local self-government body, military / state administration.
- Proper functioning of the State Voter Register (SVR)
Type of criterion: Mandatory.
The number of staff and whether the respective department is functional can be found on the SVR website.
Staffing level standards for the SVR are determined according to this resolution.
Note: If the community does not have its own dedicated SVR maintenance department, the indicator is evaluated based on the district-level SVR maintenance department under whose jurisdiction the community falls.
|
The Registry's operations have been fully restored regarding interaction with voters, and there are designated premises and personnel available for the functioning of the SVR maintenance department. |
1 point |
|
The mid-range score is awarded if one of the following conditions is met in the community:
|
0.5 points |
|
The SVR maintenance department has no working premises and/or no available staff to operate; the community is not served by any other SVR maintenance department, and the Registry's operations regarding interaction with voters have not been restored. |
0 points |
Sources of information: Central Election Commission.
- Updating Data of the State Voter Register
Type of criterion: Mandatory.
|
The Register maintenance bodies receive monthly updates (over the past six months) from the state authorities and local institutions designated by law (Article 22 of the Law of Ukraine “On the State Voter Register”) regarding changes in the personal data of eligible voters. |
1 point |
|
Data is being received, but irregularly (over the past six months) or with delays exceeding 5 working days, and not all designated bodies are submitting the information. |
0.5 points |
|
No measures are being taken to update the registry database, and up-to-date data on the number of voters is completely unavailable. |
0 points |
Sources of information: Central Election Commission.
- Activities of political parties
Type of criterion: Mandatory.
|
The maximum score is awarded if at least two of the following conditions are met:
|
1 point |
|
The mid-range score is awarded if only one of the following conditions is met:
|
0.5 points |
|
The minimum score is awarded if none of the following conditions are met:
|
0 points |
Sources of information: local self-government body, military / state administration.
Optional Criteria
The fulfillment of each of the following criteria is desirable, as the implementation of these options directly impacts the execution of electoral and other procedures.
The community passes the audit based on the optional criteria if it scores a total of at least 0.5 out of 1 possible point.
- Functioning of local authorities
Type of criterion: Optional.
|
The community budget has been approved by the local self-government body or the military administration (if powers have been transferred to it) before the start of the calendar year, and the budget expenditures (general fund) have been fully financed over the last quarter. |
1 point |
|
The community budget has been approved by the local self-government body or the military administration (if powers have been transferred to it) within the first two months of the current year, and expenditures (general fund) have been partially financed (covering more than 80% of expenditures) over the last quarter. |
0.5 points |
|
The budget has not been approved by the local self-government body or the military administration (if powers have been transferred to it), or it was approved with a significant delay (exceeding 2 months), and the general fund has been financed at less than 80% of expenditures over the last quarter. |
0 points |
Sources of information: local self-government body, military / state administration.
- Functioning of Local Media
Type of criterion: Optional.
|
The maximum score is awarded if one of the following conditions is met:
|
1 point |
|
A score of 0.5 points is awarded if one of the following conditions is met in the community:
|
0.5 points |
|
No media outlets are operational in the community (media outlets ceased operations as a result of the full-scale invasion). |
0 points |
Sources of information: local self-government body, military / state administration.
- Feasibility of recruiting PEC (precinct election commission) members
Type of criterion: Optional (the assessment should be conducted across all settlements of the community).
|
The maximum score is awarded if all of the following conditions are met:
|
1 point |
|
The mid-range score is awarded if at least two of the following conditions are met:
|
0.5 points |
|
The minimum score is awarded if at least two of the following conditions are met:
|
0 points |
Sources of information: local self-government body, military / state administration.
- Operation of courts of general jurisdiction in the community (or in the district center if there were no courts of general jurisdiction in the community prior to February 23, 2022)
Type of criterion: Optional.
The assessment is done by inquiring with relevant institutions or using open sources to verify the availability of judicial bodies, as well as sending individual inquiries to the courts regarding staffing and facility conditions.
|
Fully unhindered access to judicial bodies for legal proceedings is guaranteed within the community. Courts are staffed at over 90% of their capacity and are actively hearing cases. |
1 point |
|
Adequate access to judicial bodies is available in the community, but accessing them requires time and travel (relying on transport infrastructure). Courts are staffed at between 60% and 90% of their capacity, but they are actively hearing cases. |
0.5 points |
|
There is no adequate access to judicial bodies in the community. They are not fully operational due to severe staff shortages (courts are staffed at less than 60% of their capacity), a lack of facilities, damaged infrastructure, poor communications, or the overall security situation. |
0 points |
Sources of information: courts of general jurisdiction.
- Activities of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and public initiatives
Type of criterion: Optional.
|
Non-governmental organizations and public initiatives have held a combined total of more than 5 events in the community over the past six months. |
1 point |
|
Non-governmental organizations and public initiatives have held a combined total of between 1 and 4 events in the community over the past six months. |
0.5 points |
|
Non-governmental organizations and public initiatives have not held any public events in the community over the past six months. |
0 points |
Sources of information: local self-government body, military / state administration.
Appendix. Passport of the Community
The passport of the community is used to prepare a descriptive report for each community undergoing an audit.
Official information is available at the “Decentralization” website.
- Name of the amalgamated territorial community (hromada).
- District (raion).
- Region (oblast).
- Type of community (urban, settlement, rural).
- Area.
- Population.
- Number of settlements.
- Distance to the frontline / line of contact.
- Presence of a Military Administration (MA) and leadership details.
- Description of key industrial facilities and critical infrastructure located within the community's territory.
- Community budget for the previous fiscal year (revenues/expenditures).
- Number of internally displaced persons (IDPs).
- Destruction caused by Russian aggression.
- Landmine contamination of the territory.
- Number of shellings / air raid alerts / casualties over the past 3 months.
The report must also include key conclusions and recommendations.
Section 3. Legal Framework
LEGAL REGULATION
To implement a security audit at the national level, a two-tier system of legal regulation is proposed.
At the legislative level, it is necessary to define the criteria for determining the (im)possibility of holding elections; designate the bodies responsible for collecting information and making the final decision on where the security situation permits or does not permit holding elections. In addition, the powers of these bodies should be legally established.
There is also a need to adopt a sub-legislative (governmental) act to regulate the mechanisms of conducting a security audit. For example, this could be a regulation on the body responsible for collecting and summarizing information, its structure, and methodological guidelines for conducting the assessment.
IMPLEMENTATION
To implement a security audit at the national level, a two-tier system of legal regulation is proposed.
Stages of the Security Audit:
- Creation of a working group for the development of the legal framework (implementation paths). At this stage, it is necessary to determine the body that will collect and summarize information and the body that will make the final decision regarding the (im)possibility of holding elections in the respective community (polling station).
- Conducting a government pilot or experiment on collecting and summarizing information (this could be the implementation of a relevant international technical assistance project).
- Final approval of the legal framework based on the results of the testing.
- Collecting and summarizing information for a preliminary assessment, as well as addressing shortcomings.
- Collecting and summarizing information for the final assessment and the final decision-making.
The structure of the bodies participating in the security audit should include:
- Government interagency commission;
- The decision-making body (this could be the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine or the CEC; alternatively, it could also be the CMU or the NSDC);
- Local interagency commission;
- Local authorities (local councils, military administrations, etc.).
Public control during the security audit is proposed to be ensured through:
- Internal control: inclusion of representatives of the public in the commissions;
- External control: access to information upon request, and the publicity of acts and conclusions.
Algorithm for conducting a security audit:
- Information gathering at the level of an individual community or territory;
- Preparation of an act (assessment report) regarding the individual community or territory based on the gathered information;
- Based on the results of the act, a conclusion is prepared with recommendations (instructions) to address identified shortcomings;
- Addressing the shortcomings identified during the information-gathering stage;
- Repeated information gathering for the final assessment and decision-making, drafting of the act, and submission to the Government Commission;
- Preparation of the conclusion, which is submitted to the decision-making body;
- Making the final decision regarding the (im)possibility of holding elections in the respective community (polling station).
TIMELINE
Before the end of martial law, it is necessary to:
- Finalize the criteria and methodology for determining the possibility or impossibility of holding elections at the community level and/or in frontline territories.
- Pilot this methodology and, based on the collected data, develop legislative amendments.
- Designate the responsible body that will conduct the security audit of these territories and make the respective decisions.
3 months prior to the start of the electoral process, it is necessary to:
- Assess the situation in specific territories according to the approved criteria and determine the possibility or impossibility of holding elections in each community/territory.