Good News
The OSCE has posted up its preliminary findings on the election.
Their main conclusion:
The 26 March parliamentary elections were conducted basically in line with OSCE Commitments, Council of Europe commitments and other international standards for democratic elections. Overall, fundamental civil and political rights, such as freedom of expression and assembly, were respected. An inclusive candidate registration and a vibrant media environment provided for genuine competition and equal conditions. This enabled voters to make informed choices between distinct alternatives and to freelyand fairly express their will.
Though they go on to mention a number of shortcomings in with the positive signs: delayed opening time at some polling stations, no Constitutional Court now in office, poorly defined campaign finance legislation, many polling stations with too many registered voters - contributing to long lines, authorities underestimated the scale of their task.
On the plus side again, they found that inaccuracies in the voting lists submitted t othem were isolated. This is good news considering the worrying translation of some Russian last names into Ukrainian which might have disenfranchised many Eastern Ukrainians if it were widespread.