Elections During War: Rada Declares Unpreparedness of Legislation

Despite a new wave of discussions about possible elections, there is currently no ready legislative framework for their conduct in parliament. The preparation of amendments continues, but the process is far from completion. This was stated by MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak, 'the Iron MP'.

Zheleznyak pointed out that even technically organizing elections under martial law is impossible. According to him, an inclusive working group led by Oleksandr Korniyenko is operating in the Verkhovna Rada, created at the initiative of the parliament's leadership.

Elections in Ukraine: State of Legislative Preparation

As of mid-February, the working group has heard only two out of six subgroups. According to Oleksandr Korniyenko, there is no talk of quick developments, as the concept must be formulated first, and only then the text of the bill.

Among the issues that require regulation are:

• updating the State Register of Voters, as millions of citizens have outdated addresses

• the participation of military personnel and Ukrainians abroad in voting

• possible restrictions for representatives of banned pro-Russian parties

• security criteria for conducting voting in border regions

The safe situation audit is also being considered separately. According to the process participants' estimates, the verification may take up to five months. Only after that can conclusions about conducting elections in specific communities be made.

Conducting Elections During War: Key Challenges

Zheleznyak emphasized that even with the political will to make the necessary decisions, it would not be possible to do so quickly. Some issues are politically sensitive, particularly regarding the participation of individuals associated with pro-Russian forces and voting by Ukrainians who have moved abroad.

The issue of security remains complex. The working group is considering up to 18 criteria that should determine the possibility of conducting voting in settlements near the front line or border.

According to the deputy, a realistic scenario involves preparing legislation in advance so that if the war ends, elections can be held without delays. Currently, discussing specific dates is premature.

Earlier, Yaroslav Zheleznyak reported on a new phase in the high-profile case of embezzlement at state enterprises, which could have political consequences. He stated that on February 19, NABU quietly expanded the circle of suspects in the State Property Fund case.