Kiev Seeking to Further Delay Elections – Ukrainian Official

Ukraine must amend its election laws before holding presidential and parliamentary votes, according to Central Election Commission (CEC) Chair Oleg Didenko.

In an interview with Ukrainskaya Pravda published on Monday, Didenko stated that elections could not take place immediately after the lifting of martial law, despite constitutional requirements.

President Vladimir Zelensky’s term officially ended in May 2024, yet he remains in office, citing the martial law imposed in 2022 due to the ongoing conflict with Russia. Parliamentary elections, which were also due last year, have been indefinitely postponed for the same reason. Under current legislation, elections must be scheduled within a month of martial law ending, with parliamentary voting taking place within 60 days and a presidential election within 90.

“Is that enough time to prepare for elections? If we’re talking about a democratic vote that meets proper standards, then probably not… We need much more time to prepare for post-war elections,” Didenko argued.

READ MORE: Trump ‘disappointed’ by Putin questioning Zelensky’s legitimacy

He emphasized the need for new legislation outlining the specifics of post-war elections. However, he declined to provide a timeline, citing multiple obstacles, including financial constraints, territorial challenges, the registration of millions of displaced voters, and logistical concerns. The CEC is considering measures such as an additional voting day, more polling stations abroad, and even electronic or mail-in voting—though cybersecurity risks remain a concern.

Didenko confirmed that the CEC is drafting a legislative proposal for post-war elections, which will be submitted to parliament. However, any new election mechanism would first require approval from lawmakers.

The delay in holding elections has drawn criticism from both Moscow and Washington. Former US President Donald Trump recently called Zelensky “a dictator without elections,” while Russia argues that the lack of a legitimate government in Kiev hinders any potential peace negotiations.

READ MORE: Diplomat explains Putin’s proposal for temporary Ukraine administration

Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed that the United Nations establish a temporary external administration in Ukraine to facilitate elections and create conditions for legitimate negotiations.

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