unit comprises armed volunteers, which is of concern given their lack of training in handling mass protests. F. Political rights Human rights in the electoral process 68. On 4 April, the Central Election Commission (CEC) confirmed the registration33 of 23 candidates (20 men and 3 women) for the Presidential elections scheduled on 25 May.34 69. Several candidates have reported facing arbitrary restrictions, hate speech, intimidation and violent attacks during their election campaigning. Some examples of such cases are listed below. a) On 10 April, Oleg Tsariov (non-affiliated candidate from eastern Ukraine) following a press conference in Odesa was reportedly prevented from leaving the location by “Right Sector” activists. Scuffles broke out between the latter and supporters of Mr. Tsariov. The police managed to transfer Mr. Tsariov out of the hotel. b) On 14 April, Mykhailo Dobkin (Party of Regions) and Oleg Tsariov were attacked in Kyiv at the ICTV (national TV channel) media building. Both are known for their pro-Russian stance and for supporting federalism. c) On 11 April in Rivne, there were reports of “Right Sector” activists who picketed, burned documents and then sealed the office of the Communist Party. They demanded activities of the party be banned for as long as Petro Symonenko, Head of the Communist Party, supported separatist activities in south-east Ukraine. d) On 22-23 April in Krasnodon and Alchevsk (Luhansk region) unknown persons attacked campaigning tents of Anatoliy Hrytsenko (Civic Position party). On 30 April, in Mykolaiv his campaigners were verbally harassed with demands to remove the campaign tents by unknown persons. e) On 28 April in the village Perehrestivka (Romensky district, Sumy region), the pro-unity campaign team of Oleh Liashko (Radical Party) was threatened and their property destroyed. He cancelled his campaigning activities in the area. f) Also on 28 April, Mykhailo Dobkin, was prevented from leaving the plane at Kherson airport by some 250 pro-unity activists. The police claimed they were prohibited from accessing the runway, and could not provide security to the Presidential candidate. A criminal case has been opened against the aforementioned activists (still being identified) under article 279 (Blocking transport communications by placing obstacles preventing 33 CEC denied registration to 17 candidates as they did not comply with the procedural norms. There were no claims of unlawful refusal in registration. 34 On 25 May there will be elections of mayors in some of the towns (namely Kyiv, Cherkasy, Chernivtsi, Odesa, Kherson, Mykolaiv, Sumy and a number of smaller towns throughout Ukraine. During the presidency of Viktor Yanukovych, the results of the mayors’ elections in these towns were illegitimate, but the early elections were blocked through the administrative pressure. The towns were governed by the secretaries of the city halls. 45 | P a g e