THE PROBLEM OF ELECTION ADMINISTRATION PROFESSIONALIZATION IN MODERN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION IN UKRAINE

Abstract

The crisis of confidence in the authorities in Ukraine is largely caused by the lack of public confidence in the bodies performing public functions. Especially, it is true for election process which accumulates problems of political choice and legitimacy. In most cases, voters’ disbelief in the election results and fair ballot is caused by non-prefessionalism of election commissions. Since the elections in Ukraine have become a permanent phenomenon, there is a contradiction between the nature of the authorities of the election commissions and lack of professionalism of the members of these commissions which otherwise would facilitate the strict observance of electoral procedures and rules. This institutional problem of the current political spheres of society leads to negative trends in political life. Meanwhile elections at all levels are characterized by the experience of Ukrainian citizens of elections participation to seek earnings during campaigns. Commercialization of the election process creates the phenomenon where political power delegated to the election commissions as collegiate bodies performing public functions to legitimize power, is executed by not professionals but politically loyal mercenaries who stand not for compliance with election law but for earnings. The solution is seen in as wide as possible professionalization of election commissions of all levels. This will improve the system of election administration, increase public confidence in the election results and eliminate the tendency to commercialize the process.