Secondly, the Law “On the Central Election Commission” provides that the CEC, an independent election body, is responsible to “ensure the implementation and protection of the electoral rights of the citizens of Ukraine and their right to take part in referendums” and “ensure equal application of the legislation of Ukraine on elections and referendums on the whole territory of Ukraine”. The fact that the draft amendments exclude the CEC from deciding on the possibility to hold elections or voting in certain territories in accordance with the election law  or even providing input into the decision-making process, raises concerns. While the significant postponement of elections/referendums in certain territories can be characterised as having a political nature and could therefore be finally decided by a political body, decisions that would result in the absolute disenfranchisement of the whole or part of the electorate should involve the CEC, which has been designed as an independent and impartial election body mandated to protect electoral rights.