On September 1, children in Kharkiv schools received gifts containing party symbols of the Successful Kharkiv Kernes Bloc. Representatives of OPORA wrote an appeal to the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine.
According to information from social networks and the media, as well as from local residents, the children received packages and eco-bags with notebooks, bracelets, calendars, coloring books inside, all with the party logo.
Photos from social networks
Photos by observers of Civil Network OPORA
Besides that, journalists of the Suspilne Kharkiv recorded the distribution of branded materials in Kharkiv specialized school of I-III degrees #16 by the school principal Iryna Diakova.
"The law on education explicitly prohibits the placement of political advertising in educational institutions. These materials have all the features of political advertising, because they contain the name of Successful Kharkiv Kernes Bloc party. Therefore, we wrote an appeal to the Ministry of Education and Science asking to consider and respond to these violations in educational institutions. We also asked to urge the heads of all educational institutions in Kharkiv ensure political neutrality and prevent the spread of political advertising in educational institutions." - Election Observation Coordinator of Civil Network OPORA in Kharkiv oblast Mykola Zinchenkoemphasized.
This is not the first case of political advertising in Kharkiv educational institutions. OPORA's representatives have already recordedpostcards depicting Kharkiv Mayor Hennadii Kernes with the inscription "Successful Kharkiv Kernes Bloc" in 22 educational institutions.
According to Article 6(1) of the Law of Ukraine on Education, the state policy and principles in the field of education are as follows: the rule of law, non-interference of political parties in the educational process, diversity and balance of information about politics, ideology and religion, democracy, formation of a conscious need to follow the Constitution and laws, formation of public culture and culture of democracy.
According to Article 31(3) of the Law of Ukraine on Education, political parties (associations), their members, council members (or candidates) have no right to carry out their activities in educational institutions, particularly to create their own cells or interfere in any other way in their educational activities.
It is prohibited to store, place, distribute advertisements, posters, gifts, stands, leaflets, audio or video materials, other tangible or intangible objects (except for textbooks) that contain:
- names or symbols of political parties (associations), as well as non-governmental or charitable organizations, which name or symbols coincide with names and symbols of political parties (associations);
- images, surnames, names and patronymics of persons who are members (participants) or founders of political parties (associations), as well as non-governmental or charitable organizations, which name or symbols coincide with names and symbols of political parties (associations);
- images, surnames, names and patronymics of elected persons and persons authorized to perform the functions of state or local self-government.
This prohibition does not apply to official correspondence, realization of educational program by an educational institution and in cases provided by the electoral legislation.
According to Article 20(2) of the Law of Ukraine on Secondary General Complete Education, founders and employees and officials of educational institutions, state authorities and local self-government bodies are prohibited from involving students in events organized by militarized groups that are not established by the law, as well as political parties and religious organizations (associations), except in cases specified inArticle 31 of the Law of Ukraine on Education. Participation of students under the age of majority in activities organized by citizen associations is permitted only with the consent of their parents.
We should also mention that according to Article 38.(4.1) of the Law of Ukraine on the Secondary General Complete Education, a director of a secondary general educational establishment shall ensure the realization of Ukrainian laws and monitor their implementation by employees.
For comment, please contact:
Mykola Zinchenko, Election Observation Coordinator at Civil Network OPORA in Kharkiv oblast
tel .: +38 099 788 3660
e-mail: [email protected]
Reference: OPORA's observation is aimed to provide impartial assessment of election administration and process, facilitate free and fair election, and prevent violations. Civil Network OPORA has been realizing a wide-scale observation of regular local elections, to be held on October 25. We have deployed 188 observers nationwide, and short-term observers will join them on the Election Day. OPORA also monitors the use of budget resources for indirect campaigning, and civic ombudsmen inspect polling premises in terms of accessibility, as well as protect voting rights of citizens.
(#вибори; #opora; #опора)