Committee for the Liberation of Odessa does not recognize the results of the May 25 “extraordinary presidential elections in Ukraine”
May 25, 2014–We believe that holding elections during the civil war in the Donbass and while gangs of neo-Nazis terrorize the streets of our cities not only does not conform to democracy, but is simply blasphemous. The ballot was missing presidential candidates who could represent the interests of the inhabitants of the southeast of the country. The contenders represented only one political direction, the Euromaidan – supporters of those processes that occurred in the country after the coup [of late February 2014]. Under these circumstances, the Committee for the Liberation of Odessa calls on Odessa citizens to ignore the vote.
Elections in the Odessa region became a kind of referendum on confidence in the Ukrainian state and symbols of its power. Turnout in the region has never been so low, and no other region of Ukraine showed such a low result in this election. Even according to official figures, turnout did not reach 50%, and the candidate Poroshenko did not even receive 50% of the votes of those who did come out. Most Odessites refused to participate. We, citizens of Odessa, do not see the future of the Ukrainian state in its present form.
In the elections for mayor of Odessa, there was not a single representative of the resistance movement. Citizens were forced to choose between two candidates each representing pro-Kiev oligarchic clans. Many of our supporters did take part in this vote because they could not afford to see elected the officials from the team of Eduard Gurvits — people directly involved in the massacre of Odessa inhabitants on May 2. But even here, the turnout was close to those figures attributed by the CEC to areas of the Lugansk region occupied by the junta.
Gurvits is, in fact, the only Euromaidan protégé in Odessa. Despite the extremely low turnout and direct support from Poroshenko, he suffered a crushing defeat. However, the winner, Gennady Truhaniv, also cannot be supported by the resistance movement, as he is still loyal to the Kiev junta.
We are convinced that free elections can only be held in our city and our region after its citizens are able to exercise self-determination, when we can choose a mayor and governor with real powers for the full performance of their duties. For now, each Odessite should remain at their station and continue whatever resistance is feasible. Today we have to save power and gain experience.
Odessa will be free! Victory will be ours!
Reference: The Committee for the Liberation of Odessa was established by leaders of the resistance movement of Kulikova Field, forced to leave the city under threat of repression and violence. The Committee aims to coordinate the movement of resistance to the Kiev junta in Odessa and the Odessa region, provide assistance to political prisoners and families of those killed and injured, and conduct training for liberation from the oligarchs and neo-fascists.
