Customs Chief Competition Under Fire: Candidates with Lowest Scores Reach the Final

The competition for the position of Head of the State Customs Service has sparked controversy after candidates with some of the lowest test scores advanced to the final stage. The finalists include representatives of NABU, despite their poor performance in the practical assessment.

Low Scores, High Results

During the practical stage, candidates Ruslan Damentsov and Orest Mandzii scored only 34 and 17 out of 100 points, ranking 12th and 13th respectively. Nevertheless, the selection commission ultimately declared them winners.

Conflict of Interest Concerns

Particular criticism has been directed at the fact that the selection commission had previously signed a memorandum with NABU on integrity checks. At the same time, NABU representatives themselves are participants in the competition.

Experts point to a clear conflict of interest, as an institution involved in the process is effectively assessing its own candidates.

Legal Community Reaction

Lawyers and former anti-corruption officials have openly criticized the situation, calling it a discrediting of competitive selection procedures in public service.

Not the First Scandal

This is not the first controversy surrounding the selection of a customs chief. Previous actions by the commission, including cooperation with institutions whose representatives are candidates, have also drawn public and professional criticism.