Specifics of the Ukrainian election system

Abstract

The paper considers the concept of the election process as an activity related to the exercise of suffrage. The list of subjects of the election process has been determined. The formation of the institution of elections under the influence of external factors is explained. The formation of the electoral process in Ukraine since the XIX century is analyzed under the influence of foreign states such as the Russian Empire and Austria-Hungary. The introduction of elections in the second half of the XIX century is considered in details in connection with the reform. The change of the electoral legislation in Ukraine from 1989 to 2004 is noted. The main types of electoral systems such as majority, proportional and mixed are analyzed. The peculiarities of the majority electoral system, which has been operating in Ukraine for a long time, and the proportional one, which is currently used in accordance with the Electoral Code of January 1, 2020, have been identified. The issue of choosing the most effective electoral system, on the example of majority, proportional and mixed systems, is considered in detail. It is concluded that the optimal system of popular expression of will of citizens in Ukraine is proportional, which is supported by the opinion of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, and the example of the development of other European states. The importance of a stable electoral system in Ukraine is noted. The main provisions of the Electoral Code of Ukraine, which entered into force on January 1, 2020, are considered. The election process and innovations of the Electoral Code of Ukraine are considered in detail. Particular attention was paid to the issue of gender equality during the elections, which caused a lot of discussion among Ukrainian politicians and European countries. The conclusion emphasizes that the electoral process in Ukraine has gone through a difficult and long path of formation, but the election legislation is quite at the stage of formation and development, due to difficult circumstances in the Ukrainian state to build civil society.