EU Says Ukraine Election Count Marred By Delays, Irregularities

EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton (right) and EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele (file photo)

The European Union says Ukraine's October 28 parliamentary elections were marred by a delayed vote count and other irregularities.

In a statement issued on November 12, EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton and Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele expressed "concern about the conduct of the post electoral process, which was marred by irregularities, delays in the vote count and lack of transparency in the electoral commissions."

The EU has also criticized the build-up to the election and the vote itself.

Final election results released by the Central Election Commission showed that President Viktor Yanukovych's Party of the Regions and its allies will retain control on parliament.

The European Union has frozen a trade deal with Ukraine over concerns about the country's elections, judicial system, and the arrest of opposition leaders, including former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko.

Based on reporting by Reuters and Interfax