A total of 281 out of 313 deputies registered in the session hall voted for the decision. The law enters into force on the day following the day of its publication.
It is noted in the explanatory note to the law that on February 25, 2010, Yanukovych was elected to the office of president of Ukraine.
On February 22, 2014 resolution of the Verkhovna Rada No. 757-VII established that the President Yanukovych had withdrawn from exercising his constitutional powers in an unconstitutional way, and was deemed not to be fulfilling his obligations as president.
On February 23, 2014, the Verkhovna Rada with its resolution No.764-VII entrusted the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Oleksandr Turchynov with the duties of President of Ukraine in accordance with Article 112 of the Constitution, a post he held until Petro Poroshenko was elected president of Ukraine in early presidential elections on May 25.
According to Art. 1 of the Law of Ukraine "On the cleansing power", it was determined that Yanukovych by his actions had usurped power and undermined the basis of national security, as well as violating human rights and freedoms.
Currently, Yanukovych is on the wanted lists of Ukraine and Interpol.
"Due to the fact that the current legislation is incomplete with regard to the legal consequences of the self-withdrawal of a Ukrainian citizen from fulfilling the powers of the President of Ukraine, as well as committing actions that threaten the governance of the state, nd the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine, and the mass violation of human rights and freedoms, there is an urgent need for adopting such law that will deprive Yanukovych of the title of President of Ukraine," the explanatory note to the bill reads.
Former presidents of Ukraine retain the official title of president after they leave office.
