Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has called on law enforcers to complete the investigation into crimes related to the bribery of voters in elections to merged territorial communities (MTCs).
“I cannot leave without attention the elections to merged territorial communities that took place last Sunday. I am very concerned about the number of cases of bribery of voters by certain political forces. This is absolutely unacceptable for me, as president, as guarantor of constitutional rights and freedoms of citizens, including electoral rights,” he said at a meeting of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine (NSDC) on Wednesday, May 2, which was broadcast by Ukrainian TV channels.
In this regard, Poroshenko called on law enforcement agencies to investigate bribery as thoroughly as possible.
“I would ask the National Police, the Prosecutor General’s Office and the Security Service of Ukraine to make sure that everyone who commits this crime against democracy is imprisoned,” he added.
In addition, he said that a political party staying in opposition does not provide political protection against criminal prosecution.
The head of state also supported the need for legislative strengthening of responsibility for violation of electoral rights. In particular, he said, a bill, which was previously submitted by the government, will be considered at the National Reform Council.
“It is necessary that the punishment for these crimes be inevitable,” he said.
