European Parliament President says Ukraine election marred

PanARMENIAN.Net - European Parliament President Martin Schulz said he regrets that many flaws marred the parliamentary elections in Ukraine and hopes that the authorities will resolve them, KyivPost reported.

Noting that the elections were of critical importance for the future of Ukraine and for relations between Kyiv and the European Union, Schulz said in a statement: "Noting the preliminary conclusions of international observers from the OSCE/ODIHR mission, I regret that many shortcomings marred the ballot. I am concerned by the lack of a level playing field among political forces caused, among other reasons, by the abuse of administrative resources."

He also said that the campaign and party financing lacked transparency and media coverage was tilted in favor of the ruling party, and added that the continued imprisonment of prominent opposition activists had cast a shadow over the election process.