Statements by the President of Ukraine regarding possible changes in electoral legislation, the activation of working groups in parliament, and initiatives from the Central Election Commission have once again sparked discussions about holding elections during martial law. People's Deputy Yaroslav Zheleznyak emphasizes in his video blog that: despite loud information waves, there are currently no real grounds for quick elections.
Elections in Ukraine during the war: what did the president say
According to Zheleznyak, the president, while communicating with journalists, practically avoided a direct answer regarding deadlines for preparing elections. In his statement, he linked possible changes in electoral legislation to the results of peace negotiations, security guarantees, and an economic recovery package. There was no clear confirmation of readiness to hold elections in a short time, and February was only mentioned as a potential working period for legislative developments.
Legislative changes regarding elections: the position of parliament and the CEC
On January 8, a meeting of the working group for preparing possible changes to election legislation was held in the Verkhovna Rada. More than 100 people participated in it, the majority of whom expressed opposition to holding elections during martial law. The group was divided into seven subgroups with a deadline until the end of January 2026. On the same day, the Central Election Commission proposed its own version of changes, which stipulates the start of the electoral process no earlier than six months after the end of martial law, contradicting the idea of quick elections.
In the background of the discussion, Zheleznyak draws attention to several factors:
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current legislation and the Constitution do not allow elections during wartime;
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the majority of political forces and citizens oppose voting until hostilities are completed;
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Ukraine's international partners are not insisting on immediate elections.
In the deputy's opinion, the current processes resemble a simulation of preparation rather than a real start of the electoral campaign. Even if there is political will to quickly adopt new rules, it is technically impossible within one or two months.
Recall that previously, Zheleznyak stated that the idea of holding presidential elections and a nationwide referendum as early as March is currently effectively put on pause.