The Central Election Commission has, for the first time since the full-scale invasion, reopened the State Voter Register. This was announced by Davyd Arakhamia, head of the Servant of the People parliamentary faction. Previously, access to the register was considered risky for citizens, but work has now officially resumed.
Arakhamia noted that this decision opens the way to restoring interactions between the CEC, citizens, and state authorities in matters relating to the register, which is necessary for its updating and possible preparation for elections, though dates remain uncertain. Updating the register is crucial, he said, as the war has significantly changed demographic figures.
The issue of participation by Ukrainians living abroad, especially refugees and labor migrants, is also being discussed. These voters face financial and logistical obstacles to casting ballots at foreign polling stations. Existing polling infrastructure is inadequate for the millions of Ukrainians who have left during the conflict.
The President of Ukraine has repeatedly advocated for electronic voting via the “Diia” app, both for foreign-based and domestic voters. However, experts have raised concerns over cybersecurity, citing past breaches of banking systems and cyberattacks against state institutions.
Special attention is paid to the societal legitimacy of election results with e-voting. Low trust in electoral processes persists in Ukraine due to a history of election fraud and political manipulation. Experts warn that experimental e-voting could trigger accusations of falsification and attempts at external interference.
Thus, issues of organizing elections and choosing voting formats remain unresolved and are discussed both within Ukraine and at the international level.
