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Ukrainian parliament rejects all bills on parliament elections

The parliament did not support bills suggesting that the age of parliament deputies must be limited to 65 years

KIEV, October 4 (Itar-Tass) —— The Ukrainian parliament denied support to all of the 13 bills on parliament elections on Tuesday.

Seven bills stipulated open candidate lists, two bills suggested the return to the mixed election system, and one bill called for holding the election in two rounds. The proposal to give the voters a right to the motion of no confidence in parliament deputies was also declined.

The parliament did not support bills suggesting that the age of parliament deputies must be limited to 65 years and that ballots cast in parliamentary elections might be counted anew.

The Verkhovna Rada may vote for the draft election law elaborated by the working group of President Viktor Yanukovich. The draft is presented to the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe for appraisal. The Commission will express its opinion on October 14.

The media said that the commission secretary had criticized the bill. He recalled that the Venice Commission had recommended Ukraine to stick to the proportionate system but to progress towards open candidate lists in regions so that voters could name candidates of their choice.