Amendments to the Law of Ukraine "On Citizens' Appeals" regarding electronic appeals and electronic petitions

Citizens now have the opportunity to apply to state authorities, local governments, organizations and institutions by means of oral or written (electronic) appeals

On October 28, 2015, the Law of Ukraine No. 577-VIII "On Amendments to the Law of Ukraine "On Citizens' Appeals" regarding Electronic Appeals and Electronic Petitions" came into force. Citizens now have the opportunity to apply to public authorities, local governments, organizations and institutions by means of oral or written (electronic) appeals.

This law amended Article 5 of the Law of Ukraine

"On Citizens' Appeals" and added Article 23¹. The amendments to the law provide for the possibility of a written appeal by citizens using the Internet and electronic communication means (electronic appeal). In addition to the requirements for a written appeal, an electronic appeal must also contain an e-mail address to which the applicant may receive a response or information about other means of communication. The use of an electronic digital signature is not required when sending an electronic appeal.

Pursuant to Article 23¹ of the Law, citizens may submit electronic petitions to the President of Ukraine, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, and local self-government bodies through the official website of the body to which it is addressed or the website of a public association that collects signatures in support of the electronic petition.

An electronic petition must set forth the essence of the appeal, indicate the surname, name, patronymic of the author (initiator) of the electronic petition, and e-mail address. The website of the relevant body or public association collecting signatures must indicate the date of the start of signature collection and information on the total number and list of persons who signed the electronic petition.

An electronic petition may not contain calls for the overthrow of the constitutional order, violation of the territorial integrity of Ukraine, propaganda of war, violence, cruelty, incitement to interethnic, racial, or religious hatred, calls for terrorist acts, or encroachment on human rights and freedoms. The author (initiator) of the electronic petition is responsible for the content of the electronic petition. Consideration of an electronic petition is carried out immediately, but not later than ten working days from the date of publication of information at the beginning of its consideration

An appeal that is not executed in accordance with these requirements is returned to the applicant with appropriate explanations no later than ten days from the date of its receipt.

More detailed legal advice and free legal aid can be obtained by contacting the public reception of the Odesa regional organization of the NGO "Committee of Voters of Ukraine" at the address: 25 Sadykovska St., Odesa.

Pre-registration by phone: (048) 716-46-83.