The mission found a number of troubling matters: first, a suspiciously high turnout in some regions; multiple ballots based on presentation of absentee voting certificates; irregularities in the numbering of ballots; voters added to the lists at the last minute on election day; and finally, restrictions imposed on voters exercising their voting rights.

C. stressing that the IEOM highlighted widespread irregularities, both during the campaign (for example, abuse of State resources in favour of Yanukovych, abuse of power against some citizens whose livelihood depends directly or indirectly upon the State, inaccurate voting lists and reluctance on the part of the Central Election Commission to respond to complaints) and on polling day (for example, intimidation of polling station committee members, the presence of police and unauthorised persons at polling stations, a high number of additional voters using absentee certificates, some of whom were bussed in in a number of regions) and poi ...[+++]nted to problems during the count, such as insufficient attention to ballot security and counting procedures,

The Council places great importance on the careful preparation by UNMIK and the OSCE of local elections to be held this year, including the provisions on voting by absentees and the participation of minorities.