27 March 2006, Kiev, Ukrainian Election Free and Fair, Consolidating Democratic Breakthrough

Pierre Lellouche, President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly and head of the delegation, said: "The fairness and transparency of these elections confirms the irreversible changes in Ukraine's democratic transformation. The door to Euro-Atlantic integration remains open to Ukraine and it is up to its people to decide when is the appropriate time to take the next steps."
 
The campaign was competitive and dynamic and was covered comprehensively by media. This enabled parties and blocks to communicate their messages to the voters. The election was administered in a transparent manner and the presence of a large number of both partisan and non-partisan observers further enhanced the transparency.
 
Election day was peaceful, despite overcrowding observed in 30% of the polling stations. These delays were largely due to the simultaneous holding of general and local elections and further compounded by the large size of the ballot. In spite of these sometimes stressful conditions, a vast majority of the polling station commissions conducted their work in a professional manner.

“This was a victory for the democratic process in Ukraine,” said President Lellouche.  “Regardless of who wins or loses seats in parliament, the Ukrainian people and the real winners.”