The main reason why members of precinct election commissions made mistakes, abused their authority or violated the law was negligent attitude to their duties, and either poor knowledge or incapability to apply it in practice.

Such conclusion is based on the results of expert poll, participated by the Civil Network OPORA's long-term observers, who monitored all stages of the election process in 11 and 18 December 2016 first local elections in united territorial communities. We conducted the poll to learn and systematize observers' opinions on the quality of precinct election commission members' work. 50 OPORA's long-term observers have participated.

54% of the observers have informed that PEC members didn't give any explanations to their illegal actions or inaction. When commission members did explain their actions, they referenced to the certain regulations (but wrongly interpreted them), or recommendations received on trainings (according to 37% of observers). Precinct election commission members sometimes also referenced to recommendations or directions of territorial election commissions (according to 23% of observers), or instructions from parties (candidates).

However, illegal actions of PEC members were not organized or purposeful, goaled to falsify election results or disrupt the election process. Most of the inquired observers (69%) said that negligent attitude to the duties was the main reason why members of precinct election commissions made mistakes, abused their authority or violated the law. Another key problem that caused mistakes and abuses was low-quality training of PEC members resulting in either poor knowledge or incapability to apply it in practice (according to 50% of observers). 31% of inquired observers said that the main reason of abuses and violations was the absence of training provided by NGOs or parties.

As for the professionalism of election commission members, 83.7% observers believe that the main task is to improve the training system for PEC members. Another solution, according to 73.5% of the inquired, is to change the method of selection (appointment) of commission members. 32.7% of observers suggested to raise the remuneration for commission members as the main source of motivation for professional development.

Civil Network OPORA has developed the recommendations on how to improve the functioning of precinct election commissions and raise their qualification level to the Verkhovna Rada, training organizers, election commissions, and civil society organizations working on the corresponding matters.

Full report is available here.