Preparing for post-war elections after the decision to lift martial law requires more time than is legally required if we are to have a democratic and standard-compliant vote.
This was told to Ukrainska Pravda by the head of the Central Election Commission, Oleh Didenko.
When asked what will happen with the elections after the decision to lift martial law is made, he said:
"Current legislation provides algorithms for how elections should be held after the end of martial law. But due to the impact of a full-scale war, we need to adjust those procedures. There now seems to be a consensus in society and among politicians that a longer period of time is needed to prepare for elections after the end of martial law than that specified by law."
According to him, the election law will have to be changed after the end of martial law, but he clarifies that this can be done either after or during.
"This is a question for parliament. But if we proceed from the current norms, then within a month after the end of martial law, the Central Election Commission must announce parliamentary elections, and the election process itself must last 60 days," he clarifies.
He also spoke about the presidential elections: "... the Verkhovna Rada must make a decision on their appointment, again within a month. There, the election process lasts 90 days, not 60."
"Is this month enough to prepare for the elections? If we are talking about a vote that will be democratic and meet standards, then probably not. Everyone understands this," the CEC chairman believes.
Currently, the law stipulates that parliamentary elections should be held first, and then presidential elections, but Didenko suggests that there may be nuances:
"There may be nuances, but if we take the current norms of the law, it looks like this. The only thing, I repeat, is that we need much more time to prepare for the post-war elections. We have a lot of challenges. We need to adopt a law on the specifics of holding post-war elections. And depending on what is provided for in that law, we will be able to talk more specifically about the terms."
Recall, The Economist previously indicated that elections in Ukraine could be held as early as July 2025.