Central Election Commission (CEC)

The Central Election Commission (CEC) is an independent body whose effective functioning impacts the transparency and fairness of the election process in the country, as well as the exercise of electoral rights. According to international standards, the CEC should be an independent and permanent body that ensures transparency, impartiality, and safeguards against political manipulations throughout all phases of the election process. Therefore, to enhance the standards of the democratic electoral process in Ukraine and ensure its guarantees and protections, as well as to prevent political influence over various administrative bodies, the process of forming the CEC’s composition, its operations, and the activities of its officials must be properly funded. This requires legislative attention, especially in the context of harmonizing national laws with European integration goals.

Text as of March 2026

Based on research and human rights practice, we can identify the following issues in how the CEC functions in Ukraine:

Political pressure on the CEC’s independence from public authorities. The legislatively mandated procedure for appointing the CEC composition does not safeguard the institution’s independence in its future operations or during its formation. It remains highly susceptible to political influence, particularly when a single political force holds an absolute parliamentary majority.
The principle of political responsibility also poses a threat to the CEC’s independent functioning. Article 31-1 of the Law of Ukraine “On the Central Election Commission” provides that the premature termination of all CEC members’ duties is not mandatory in cases of violations of the law.
The Law of Ukraine “On the Central Election Commission” sets out, in certain provisions, grounds for removing CEC members, but these are not always explicitly detailed. For example, Article 30(4)(8) mentions breach of the oath as a reason, but its wording includes evaluative concepts.
The President’s authority to initiate the dismissal of CEC members under the Constitution of Ukraine, as directly effective norms, is legislatively established, alongside the use of other legislative mechanisms.
The legislation does not clearly determine guarantees for the CEC’s financial independence.

What Ukraine needs to do during its accession to the EU to improve the situation:

Enhance the appointment process for CEC members through constitutional and legislative changes, stipulating that they be appointed by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, based on the President’s proposal, following an open competition. Simultaneously, an independent committee should conduct an open competition, and the Parliament must select candidates with a two-thirds majority of votes. Consider the recommendations from the OSCE/ODIHR and the Venice Commission on the formation of the Central Election Commission, particularly regarding gender balance. It is also important to anticipate mechanisms to prevent political obstruction of the election or appointment processes.
Regulate the administration of CEC in Ukraine during elections to the European Parliament through systematic changes to the Election Code of Ukraine, the Law of Ukraine “On the Central Election Commission,” and other relevant laws and regulations.
Remove Article 31-1 from the Law of Ukraine “On the Central Election Commission,” which addresses the premature termination of the mandate of the entire CEC composition and the President of Ukraine’s ability to propose such a measure to the Verkhovna Rada.
Review the reasons for terminating the mandates of the CEC member, particularly Article 30(4)(8), which states that a CEC member’s mandate can be prematurely ended if they violate their oath.
Legally establish the minimum budget level for the CEC and include protections against sequestration by the executive branch.

For a more detailed overview of CEC matters and the justification for our recommendations, please see the research section on this page. Specifically, see the document available only in Ukrainian: Ensuring Electoral Rights: Correspondence of National Mechanisms to EU Standards. If you have any feedback or comments about this material, please send them to: hrmap@ccl.org.ua.

Experts

Olha Kotsiuruba

Senior Legal Advisor of the Civil Network “OPORA,” PhD

Pavlo Romaniuk

Legal advisor of the Civil Network “OPORA,” coordinator of the Election Law Center of the Yaroslav Mudryi National Law University

Bohdan Mokhonchuk

Legal Advisor of the Civil Network “OPORA,” PhD, Associate Professor of the Yaroslav Mudryi National Law University

OPORA