MPs changed procedure for dismissal and appointment of members of National Council

On October 2, the Verkhovna Rada changed the procedure for dismissal and appointment of members of the National Council of Television and Radio Broadcasting. 266 MPs voted pro the bill # 2036 "On Amendments to the Law of Ukraine" On the National Council of Ukraine for Television and Radio Broadcasting "on improving the procedure for dismissal and appointment of members of the regulator, as Ukrinform reported.

The law stipulates that 90 days before termination of power of members of the National Council the profile committee (now the Committee on Humanitarian and Information Policy) is obliged to publish in the media and to inform the factions and parliamentary groups about the selection of candidates for the respective vacant positions. In compliance with the previous edition of the law, the competition was to start within three days from the date of termination of powers of members of the regulator.

The Committee has to accept the nomination proposals within 21 days since the day of announcement of the competition. In addition to factions and parliamentary groups, national-wide civil media associations may apply for membership of the National Council.

According to the law, voting on the appointment of members of the National Council takes place simultaneously for all vacant positions under the quota of the parliament. At the same time, all positions of members of the regulator shall be considered as vacant, whose powers have been terminated in accordance with the resolution of the parliament or ahead of schedule on the grounds stipulated by the Law "On the National Council for Television and Radio Broadcasting". For example, the term of office of a member of the National Council may be terminated, in particular, if its member submitted letter of resignation at his/her own free will or in case if he/she failed to attend meetings of the regulator for two months and without reasonable excuse.

At the same time, the law does not define a vacant position of a member of the National Council if his / her powers are terminated on the last day of the deadline for submitting proposals for candidatures.

If, however, the Council is unable to fill its quota for the appointment of all members of the National Council, the whole procedure is repeated, starting with the announcement of the competition by the profile committee. Candidates who have participated in the preliminary selection are eligible to participate in the re-selection.

In addition, the Parliament equated the National Council to the first level of state bodies defined by the Law on Civil Service.

Most of the provisions of this law enter into force next day after its publication in the parliamentary newspaper “Voice of Ukraine”. Later, from January 1, 2020, the law on announcing a vacancy notice 90 days before the termination of the National Council member's termination will come into force.

As reported by IMI, on September 19, the Verkhovna Rada adopted the Bill No. 2036 on Amendments to the Law of Ukraine "On the National Council of Ukraine on Television and Radio Broadcasting" on Improving the Procedure for Dismissal and Appointment of Members of the National Council for Television and Radio Broadcasting.