First Elections Since Orange Revolution Scheduled

On July 10, 2005, the first elections in Ukraine since the dramatic events known as the "Orange Revolution" will be held for Oblast council level positions in the Ochakiv and Bashtanka districts located in the Mykolayiv region.

These initial polls will provide the new government and public an opportunity to illustrate their readiness to follow the road of honesty, openness, cooperation and democracy.

The day will feature a telethon called "Mykolayiv Oblast, Region of Fair Elections" featuring live TV uplinks from the polling districts and appearances by local and national politicians from all parties. The telethon is the initiative of the Mykolayiv Press Club and features the unprecedented collaboration by three broadcasting companies, "Regional TV-Radiocompany", "MART" and "NIS-TV" to provide full coverage for this united project.

Technical expertise needed to produce such an event will be provided by the premiere TV channels of the country. This will be the first election that allows the public to watch Mykolayiv Region citizens of small towns and villages cast their votes in real time.

The "People Can" initiative will be a public street festival featuring educational, social and entertainment events, including live music on the main stage for all citizens of all ages.

Public organizations including members from the Mykolayiv Oblast Federation of Public Associations and others will participate in the "People Can!" day of events to illustrate a consolidation of efforts by everybody to build a civil society, a shared determination to achieve the stated goals and to promote civil improvements.

Organizers of the event include Mykolayiv public associations "WAVE" ("ÕÂÈËß"), " Patriotic Union ", "Rainbow" (Âåñåëêà), The Union of East and European Culture "Fresiya", "Voice of Maidan", and "Union of Mykolayiv Students" and all will be participants.

The event provides a shining example of cooperation between the people and the government and their partnership and one part of the social and economic development program "New Government, New Opportunities for Citizens".
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CONTACT: Bruce Bridges
Phone+38(063)3089953
+38(0512)354437
email:MykolayivPress@gmail.com


"Mykolayiv Oblast, Region of Fair Elections" Public Event

"People Can" Day of Public Initiatives