Ukraine explores electronic voting models for post-war elections – top official Shuliak

Ukraine is examining the process of holding elections based on European standards, particularly electronic voting, which can be implemented once the war with Russia has ended.

Olena Shuliak, the leader of the Servant of the People party and chair of the Committee on State Power and Local Self-Government, commented to Politico.

The government official noted that post-war elections must be held using the best and most effective practices.

Shuliak also pointed out that voter registration is a significant issue. This is because a large number of Ukrainians have moved abroad or have been displaced within the country. The official stated that the latter group consists of 6.5 million individuals.

"Where are they now, where will they vote — all these issues must be resolved," the official emphasizes.

Because of such problems, Ukraine is studying European practices for conducting elections, particularly through electronic voting. Olena Shuliak added that the following options are also being considered:

• voting by mail,
• personal voting abroad on election day,
• voting by proxy.

For reference:

According to the Constitution of Ukraine, the president is elected for a term of 5 years. Volodymyr Zelensky's term in office was set to conclude on May 20, 2024. The presidential elections were initially planned for 2024 and are expected to occur at the end of March.

However, the elections can no longer be held due to the current martial law situation in Ukraine. Martial law was declared at the start of the full-scale invasion by Russian occupiers, and according to the law, elections cannot take place during this time.

President Volodymyr Zelensky thinks that organizing elections shortly will shift Ukraine and the world's focus from the crucial goal of achieving peace. However, he acknowledges the challenges of holding elections during ongoing hostilities and the need to adhere to legal requirements.

In addition, in November last year, all political forces in the Verkhovna Rada signed a memorandum stating that the next elections would be held only after the end of martial law.

Ukrainians also do not agree with the idea of ​​holding elections during a full-scale war. According to a poll by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology, the vast majority of Ukrainians (69%) believe that the head of state, Volodymyr Zelensky, should serve as president until the end of martial law.

Last year, the Central Election Commission clarified that the president's powers remain in effect until the newly elected head of state assumes office. Under the law, elections are not held during periods of martial law.