36. The Venice Commission and ODIHR therefore find it legitimate, in principle, for the Ukrainian authorities to restrict “the right of persons associated with parties whose activities are prohibited for reasons of national security and countering the spread of totalitarianism to be elected as members of the Ukrainian Parliament, local councils or village, town or city mayors”.53 In this regard, the Venice Commission and ODIHR consider that the Ukrainian authorities legitimately aim at protecting, inter alia, the State’s independence, the democratic order and national security.