Political scientist Ihor Reitarovych, on the channel "Kloсhok Time," analyzes the situation surrounding elections in wartime Ukraine. According to the expert, national elections will not take place this year, which is confirmed by Western media.
Nevertheless, a working group in the Verkhovna Rada—comprising MPs from various political forces, civil activists, and experts—is actively preparing Ukraine for its first postwar elections. Their main task is to ensure fair and transparent elections, free from Russian attacks and provocations.
The submission of legislative proposals has been postponed for at least two more months due to the complexity of preparing the electoral process for postwar conditions. Ukraine should begin its election campaign only after setting a demarcation line, a ceasefire, and enacting new election legislation. Thus, presidential elections this year are impossible.
Another option discussed is holding elections during martial law, which would require amendments to the Constitution by referendum. However, such changes cannot be made under martial law. There are also significant risks of mass casualties from possible attacks on polling stations, while mobilization and restrictions on freedom of speech and movement further complicate the organization of democratic elections.
Ensuring the voting rights of millions of overseas Ukrainians, internally displaced persons, and military personnel remains a particularly difficult challenge. Ukraine lacks European precedents for organizing elections under such circumstances and aims to meet international standards.
American advisers have compared the situation to the US Civil War elections, but experts believe this is an incorrect analogy: modern wars present different risks and threats. Instead, recommendations from the British on organizing voting abroad may be considered.
The current official position of the Ukrainian authorities and the working group is not to consider elections during the war. The majority of citizens also believe holding elections during martial law is impossible until hostilities end and martial law is lifted.
