normal functioning of transport or creating danger to human life or the onset of other serious consequences) of the Criminal Code. 70. The HRMMU has concerns about the security of the candidates and space for their preelection activities, as well as how voters are able to access comprehensive information about the presidential candidates. 71. The NGO “Opora” has highlighted that the Presidential election campaign is often accompanied by intolerance, which could lead to more social tension and outbursts of violence. The HRMMU is concerned at the reports of billboards being posted by Oleh Liashko with the slogan “Death to occupants”. They have been sighted in in the regions of Chernivtsi, Ivano-Frankivsk, Rivne, and Ternopil. 72. On 1 May, Oleg Tsariov and Natalia Korolevska officially withdrew as candidates from the Presidential elections.35 On 16 April, two criminal proceedings were initiated against Oleg Tsariov based on articles 109 (Actions to overthrow a government) and 110 (Separatism). As of 5 May, 21 candidates (19 men and 2 women) were confirmed as running for the Presidential post. 73. On 26 April, the CEC announced that in order to vote in the Presidential elections, Ukrainian citizens living in Crimea would have to register in person at any polling station on mainland Ukraine no later than five days prior to the election day, i.e. 19 May. This implies that residents of Crimea will have to travel to another region twice (to register and to vote) or to spend one week there. This is the only option provided to ensure their participation. The procedure for registration was simplified for the residents of Crimea, compared to other citizens of Ukraine who want to vote in another location. The citizens in Crimea do not have to provide any additional supporting documentation. As of 5 May, approximately 727 residents of Crimea have registered to vote on mainland Ukraine. The over 7,000 IDPs from Crimea will be able to vote where they are now settled. 74. On 30 April, Andriy Mahera, Deputy Chair of the CEC, announced that Presidential elections would be conducted whatever the circumstances and their outcome would be legally binding. Furthermore, in order to prevent the disruption of the electoral process, as well as to hinder any possible unlawful referendums in support of the various self-proclaimed "people's" republics (e.g. Donetsk People’s Republic) the decision had been made to block the access to the State Voter Register in several towns in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.36 Women’s participation 75. Women represent 54 % of the Ukrainian population, but they are underrepresented in politics as leaders. Ukraine is falling short of fulfilling its 2015 Millennium Development Goal commitment of having 30% of top leadership positions filled by women Of the 21 Presidential candidates, only two are women. Only 10% of the members of Parliament are 35 Oleg Tsariov claimed that elections were not possible at a time of “civil war” in the country. Natalia Korolevska gave the reason for her decision as being that the elections were dividing the country. 36 The access to the State Voter’s Registry in 7 towns of Donetsk region was blocked on 24 April and in 7 towns of Luhansk region on 30 April. The access to the registry in Crimea remains blocked since 6 March. 46 | P a g e