39 candidates to run for Ukrainian presidency

KIEV, March 29. /TASS/. The Central Election Commission prohibited local election commissions to make any changes to the ballot papers, the Central Election Commission (CEC) press service reported on Friday.

The CEC stressed that after March 7 presidential candidates have no right to refuse to run for presidency. Thus, as of March 29 the Central Election Commission registered 39 candidates to the post of Ukrainian president who were included in the ballot paper for the March 31 election.

"Introducing changes to ballot papers with the use of the 'out' stamp without the Central Election Commission's decision is prohibited," the CEC stated.

The CEC pointed out that pursuant to Section 1 Law 56 "The Ukrainian presidential election," the Central Election Commission makes decisions on the abolishment of a presidential candidate’s registration in case the candidate files a written address rejecting participation in the election not later than 23 days before the election. Thus, the term during which a candidate may address the CEC on this issue expired on March 7, 2019. That said, the law stipulates that in case a candidate’s address is received later than 23 days before the election, that is later than March 7, 2019, the CEC will not study this application, and no decision will be taken on it.