Almost 100,000 officials hid declarations: how many documents have disappeared from open access

How many declarations were hidden

According to Opendatabot with a reference to the information of NAZK, it was removed from the open register 445.54 thousand declarations, which belong to 99.09 thousand officials.

The declaration concealment mechanism became operational at the end of 2023. At the same time, most documents were closed in previous years. In particular:

1. - 94.97 thousand declarations refer to 2016;

2. - 72.07 thousand declarations — in 2020.

At the same time, the share of hidden declarations for 2016 is 9%, for 2020 — 8%, while during the period of a full-scale war — approx 2%.

Who most often hides declarations

On average, one declarant hid 4–5 declarations, because after obtaining the appropriate permission, all documents can be removed from open access, regardless of the year of their submission.

The most hidden declarations belong to:

• - servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine — 50.2 thousand people;

• - employees of the National Police — 16.4 thousand;

• - representatives of city councils — 2.5 thousand;

• - employees of the State Emergency Service — 2.5 thousand;

• - employees of the State Tax Service — 1.3 thousand people.

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How the declaration closing mechanism works

NAZK explains that an official cannot independently hide or re-open his declaration. For this, the relevant state body, military unit or other authorized institution must contact the Agency and justify the risks to the safety of a person or his family.

After receiving such an application, the NAZK makes a decision to withdraw the declaration from the open register. At the same time, the Agency notes that it does not conduct a separate evaluation of the validity of the reasons — it fulfills the submissions of state bodies.

Why are declarations hidden?

The possibility to close declarations appeared after the restoration of electronic declaration at the end of 2023. It was introduced due to the security risks that arose in the conditions of a full-scale war.

It is assumed that declarations can be temporarily removed from open access if their publication is capable of creating a threat to military personnel, law enforcement officers or other officials and their family members. Only the body that previously initiated their classification can restore open access to documents.