Kiev rules out elections in rebel-controlled areas

Kiev, Oct 1 (IANS/EFE) Legislative elections set for Oct 26 in Ukraine cannot be held in areas controlled by pro-Russian separatist forces in the east of the country, the Central Elections Committee, or CEC, said Tuesday.

"Currently, we can only talk about setting up four polling stations in 11 constituencies in Donetsk and four in Lugansk," Mikhail Ojendovski, head of the CEC, said.

He added that the elections would only be held in secure areas.

"For us, there is no area controlled by the (self-proclaimed) People's Republics of Donetsk and Lugansk, there are only places where voting is safe or it is not," Ojendovski said.

Ojendovski added that despite the ceasefire signed by Ukrainian authorities and the separatists Sep 5, not all areas in the conflict zone are suitable venues for balloting.

The Oct 26 parliamentary elections mark the first time Ukrainians go to the polls since Petro Poroshenko won last May's presidential vote held after the former regime of Viktor Yanukovych was driven from office by a massive protest campaign.

Authorities in the breakway pro-Russian sectors of Donetsk and Lugansk announced that no Kiev-organised elections will be held on its territory, and instead called local elections for Nov 2.

--IANS/EFE

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