Elton Gallegly: “since regaining its independence in 1991, Ukraine's democracy has made significant progress but has not been without its…”

“since regaining its independence in 1991, Ukraine's democracy has made significant progress but has not been without its difficult periods. Nowhere has the integrity of the country's political system been more challenged than in its electoral process. On March 31, Ukraine will hold its third election for parliament. This election will be a critical test of the strength of Ukraine's evolving democracy and its new election laws. Given the importance of a strong and stable Ukraine in the region, the importance of our relations with Ukraine and our keen interest in Ukraine's continued emergence as a responsible, democratic member of the international community, we are naturally interested in the electoral process as well as progress the country has made in the areas of human rights, rule of law, freedom of expression and the strength of its democratic institutions. In this context, the United States Congress, through H. Res. 339, expresses its interest in, and concerns for, a genuinely free and fair parliamentary election process which enables all the various political parties and election blocs to compete on a level playing field; allows the voters to acquire objective information about the political candidates; and expects all parties to the election to observe their own laws.”