Professor Sarah Birch from the University of Essex joined CREES scholars Dr Kataryna Wolczuk and Dr Matthew Frear to discuss electoral practice and malpractice in former Soviet republics.
The first CREES 50th Anniversary Seminar of 2013 took place on 17th January. Highlighting the developments over two decades of elections in the former Soviet Union, Professor Sarah Birch began the session by discussing the divide in electoral quality both within the region and in comparison with other regions around the world. Sarah noted that electoral malpractice and resistance to malpractice have become more sophisticated over time.
Dr Matthew Frear then moved on to discuss the example of Belarus, which held parliamentary elections in September 2012. An election note by Matthew on that poll can be viewed at 2012 Belarus Parliamentary Elections Report: Same as It Ever Was. Finally Dr. Kataryna Wolczuk placed the recent parliamentary elections in Ukraine in October 2012 within the wider context of the debate.. Finally placed the recent parliamentary elections in Ukraine in October 2012 within the wider context of the debate.
The three speakers brought to the seminar not only a deep knowledge of the academic literature, but also a wealth of wealth of practical experience. Matthew Frear was an international election observer in Minsk for the latest Belarusian poll, and both Sarah Birch and Kataryna Wolczuk were invited to participate in a workshop at the European Parliament in Brussels on the Ukrainian parliamentary elections.
More information on the 50th anniversary seminar series.