Martha on a Mission - in Ukraine

9.2.10: Election Day, Sunday, February 7, 2010.

This was the big day, the day Ukrainians chose a new President.
As is now public, our collective observations showed an election that indeed reflects the will of the people, and, based on over 90% of the votes counted, Viktor Yanukovich appears to have won, but by a slim margin of only about 2%.
It took me a while to get this written, as I didn’t get to bed until 6am the morning after. As it would happen, one of the few disruptions in the whole country happened at the election commission centre that we were observing in Odesa, and we did not leave the station until after 3:30 am. ...read more

6.2.10: Some photos taken by Martha in Kiev, Ukraine

6.2.10: Day 3 of Martha on a Mission--the OSCE/ODIHR Ukraine Election Observation Mission.

I am now in Odesa (Ukrainian version), Odessa (Russian version). I note this seemingly small spelling point because it is emblematic of a key issue in today's Ukraine---the challenge of ethnic Ukrainians and ethnic Russians, Ukrainian-speaking and Russian-speaking people, all living together in what is, politically at least, the relatively young country of Ukraine. The relationship between Ukraine and Russia, the entire Ukrainian/Russian dimension, is a major issue in the presidential election, final round to be held tomorrow, Feb. 7, 2010. ...read more

5.2.10: Martha on a Mission in Ukraine (cont'd)

Day 2 of Martha on a Mission---the continuing story of my participation in the OSCE Election Observation Mission for the Ukraine presidential election. ...read more

4.2.10: Martha on a Mission in Ukraine

Hi, Martha here.
I have just arrived in Kiev, Ukraine. A 2 hr bus ride from Ottawa to Montreal; a 2.5 hr layover at the Montreal airport; a 6.5 hr flight from Montreal to Amsterdam; a 2.5 hour layover at the Amsterdam airport; a 2.5 hr flight from Amsterdam to Kiev. 16 hours..... phew. But it's great to be back. This the first of my "Martha on a Mission" series for the next week. The "Mission" is the OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission, for the Ukrainian Presidential Election February 7. ...read more

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