National Deputies of Ukraine

The procedure for conducting elections of National Deputies of Ukraine is established by law. National Deputies of Ukraine exercise their authority on a permanent basis. National Deputies of Ukraine shall not have another representative mandate or be in the civil service. Requirements concerning the incompatibility of the mandate of the deputy with other types of activity are established by law.

Before assuming office, National Deputies of Ukraine take the following oath before the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine: "I swear allegiance to Ukraine. I commit myself with all my deeds to protect the sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, to provide for the good of the Motherland and for the welfare of the Ukrainian people. I swear to abide by the Constitution of Ukraine and the laws of Ukraine, to carry out my duties in the interests of all compatriots." The oath is read by the eldest National Deputy of Ukraine before the opening of the first session of the newly-elected Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, after which the deputies affirm the oath with their signatures below its text. The refusal to take the oath results in the loss of the mandate of the deputy. The authority of National Deputies of Ukraine commences from the moment of the taking of the oath. National Deputies of Ukraine are guaranteed parliamentary immunity. National Deputies of Ukraine are not legally liable for the results of voting or for statements made in Parliament and in its bodies, with the exception of liability for insult or defamation. National Deputies of Ukraine shall not be held criminally liable, detained or arrested without the consent of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. The authority of National Deputies of Ukraine terminates simultaneously with the termination of authority of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. The authority of a National Deputy of Ukraine terminates prior to the expiration of the term in the event of:

1) his or her resignation through a personal statement;

2) a guilty verdict against him or her entering into legal force;

3) a court declaring him or her incompetent or missing;

4) termination of his or her citizenship or his or her departure from Ukraine for permanent residence abroad;

5) his or her death.

The decision about the pre-term termination of authority of a National Deputy of Ukraine is adopted by the majority of the constitutional composition of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. In the event a requirement concerning incompatibility of the mandate of the deputy with other types of activity is not fulfilled, the authority of the National Deputy of Ukraine terminates prior to the expiration of the term on the basis of the law pu rsuant to a court decision.