Ukraine's Parliament Drafts Post-War Social Media Campaign Regulations

Regulating Political Campaigning on Social Media

According to Главком: Ukraine's parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, is developing new rules to govern political campaigning on social media for the post-war period. This legislative effort is part of broader preparations for future elections once the conflict concludes. The first meeting of a parliamentary subgroup, chaired by Olena Kondratiuk and Oleksandr Kachura, was held on January 19, 2026, to discuss regulating online political agitation and preparing for post-war elections. The subgroup decided to draft a new law, Bill No. 8310, aimed at improving the regulation of electoral information.

During the meeting, participants examined in detail how campaigning should be organized for elections after the war. The Verkhovna Rada is working on articles prepared by the Central Election Commission (CEC). The working group must finalize its proposals by January 30, 2026, with submissions from its members accepted until January 23, 2026. The seriousness of this initiative is underscored by the order to create the working group, which was signed by the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada, Ruslan Stefanchuk.

Key Topics of Discussion

The meeting focused on several critical issues, including:

• The formation of election campaign funds in foreign currency,
• A ban on the financing of election campaigns by Russia,
• Addressing the challenges posed by Telegram channels.

Furthermore, the subgroup discussed the potential benefits of adopting the European Union's experience in regulating political campaigning on social media. This indicates Ukrainian lawmakers' intent to ensure transparency and oversight in the political process, addressing new challenges that will arise after the war.

Establishing new rules for online political agitation is a crucial step for Ukraine. It will enable stricter control over information campaigns during elections, a significant concern given the ongoing conflict and foreign interference. The primary goal of these changes is to guarantee the fairness and transparency of the electoral process. This move aligns with a global trend where nations are updating their laws to address the realities of the digital age, particularly concerning election integrity.