LEGISLATIVE PRINCIPLES OF SUFFRAGE IMPLEMENTATION IN LOCAL ELECTIONS: UKRAINIAN AND WORLD EXPERIENCE

Abstract

The purpose of the article is to substantiate the directions of improving the legislative framework for the suffrage implementation in local elections on the basis of Ukrainian and world experience. The purpose of the study identifies the features of modern suffrage. The world experience of the presence of qualifications in local elections is analyzed, in particular, the qualifications of active suffrage often include: settlement (living in a country, region for several months or years before the election); citizenship, age (standard - 18 years); denial of elections to the mentally ill, incapacitated and citizens who have committed a crime. The qualifications of passive suffrage usually include: the availability of basic education (in developed countries for high positions – the availability of higher education); increased age requirement; increased official qualifications (on the basis of position, professional activity or spiritual rank). Aspects of suffrage realization at local elections in the Ukrainian legislation are characterized. Ways to improve the legal framework for the suffrage implementation in local elections, in particular, by introducing additional requirements in the Electoral Code of Ukraine to increase the competence of choice through the introduction of dynamic active suffrage, taking into account social status, professionalism, education, etc.; on the introduction of new educational and intellectual qualifications for candidates for elected positions; to improve the quality of institutions of public control over the procedure of local elections. Despite the fact that the electoral legislation of Ukraine, including the latest changes, generally complies with basic international norms, a number of these provisions should be specified, which will significantly strengthen the foundations of democracy in the electoral system of the state. Such detail will help increase the level of public confidence in the election procedure itself. The proposals presented in the article are the basis for further more detailed research of the legal framework for the suffrage implementation and the improvement of electoral processes in Ukraine.

 Keywords: electoral code, suffrage, local elections, municipal councils, qualification