Forecast

“We understand that these elections will be extremely difficult” – Didenko tells what the CEC is preparing for

Ukraine is at war, and while politicians and society debate the possibility of holding elections, the Central Election Commission (CEC) is already taking preparatory steps. Despite the martial law, the electoral register is being updated, and commission members are discussing new voting mechanisms for Ukrainians abroad and the military. In an interview with Komersant ukrainskyi, CEC Chairman Oleh Didenko told us what method of voting might be offered to Ukrainians abroad, how will military personnel vote, and what legislative changes are needed?

It is known that the Central Election Commission is updating the data. Does this mean that the elections are coming soon? And will the CEC have time to prepare for the presidential and parliamentary elections if they are held in October?

Of course, today’s situation, when we have martial law and no elections are held, is atypical. It’s not like in peacetime. However, some of the powers that are exercised during the election period remain, and a large number of tasks related to preparations for post-war elections have been added. We understand that these elections will be extremely difficult on the one hand and extremely responsible on the other. For the elections to be held properly, we need to prepare for them now.

At the moment, itis impossible to talk about the date of the elections, because there are no prerequisites for their appointment. There is a full-scale war going on in Ukraine. In addition, we do not have a law that would regulate the electoral process in the current circumstances.

Keith Kellogg, the US President’s special envoy for resolving Russia’s war against Ukraine, said that the administration wants both presidential and parliamentary elections to take place in Ukraine this year, especially if a truce with Russia is reached. He said that most democratic countries hold elections in wartime. A number of media outlets wrote that elections could even be held this spring. If we imagine that such a decision is made at once, is it possible to organize the election process now?

Ukrainian legislation currently prohibits holding elections during martial law. It is not known whether the legislation will be amended, because it is not the CEC’s competence, but a political decision.

What will the CEC do? We will implement the law that will be adopted. Ukraine is a democratic country and should remain so. The democratic nature of our post-war elections is a condition not only for our development, integration, and recovery, but also for our survival. It is important for us to hold elections in accordance with international standards, not in the way Russia, for example, does. The elections must be properly prepared and organized. Is it possible to do this in the context of armed conflict? No, it is not.

Whenever elections are held, a significant number of Ukrainians will not have time or will not be able to return to Ukraine. Are mechanisms being discussed to ensure that citizens abroad have the opportunity to vote?

Yes, there are already some developments. In fact, since the beginning of the full-scale war, we have been working on legislative changes regarding post-war elections. Back in April 2022, the first electoral group was created, which prepared a package of proposals to the Verkhovna Rada. At the time, we hoped for a quick victory and elections as planned. However, this did not happen. So now we are working on these issues in more depth and detail. In particular, this year we created three working groups in different areas.

One of the topics was voting abroad. The task was to explore different approaches and find the best solution. We worked as inclusively as possible, involving MPs, government agencies, NGOs and international partners.

Three main options were considered: electronic voting, postal voting, and extended voting (setting up additional polling stations outside embassies and consulates). Electronic and postal voting were rejected as too risky for Ukraine at this point. Instead , we are inclined to the proposal to expand the network of polling stations. That is, to provide for the possibility of creating additional polling stations outside embassies and consulates.

Another category of people who may have difficulty voting is the military. What should be done in this case?

This is a very important issue that is receiving a lot of attention. As for voting in hospitals, this issue has been resolved, because the law provides for the establishment of polling stations in medical institutions.

We plan to use the mechanisms that were used in 2014. Back then, at the suggestion of the Ministry of Defense, special polling stations were set up in places where military personnel were deployed. The main issue is to ensure proper observation at military polling stations. This is a difficult task that requires further elaboration.

Is there a count of voters who are in the occupied territories and will not be able to vote? Are there any developments regarding the possibility of voting for Ukrainians under occupation?

The CEC must ensure the right to vote for all citizens. However, it is physically impossible to organize elections in the occupied territories. The law stipulates that elections are not held there, and citizens’ voting rights are exercised on the government-controlled territory.

How often does the CEC update the voter lists and how does it happen during the war?

Voter lists are formed immediately before the election day. The CEC is the administrator of the State Voter Register (SVR), on the basis of which they are compiled. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the register has been temporarily shut down for the safety of data and employees.

In December 2023, the registry resumed its work. Data on polling stations, changes of addresses, and demographics are being updated. The next step will be to open access for citizens to check and change their electoral addresses.

In general, ensuring the relevance of the electoral lists is a joint effort of the state and citizens who must monitor their data in the register.

The election process for the next presidential election in Ukraine begins 90 days before the election day. The Central Election Commission announces its start no later than 91 days before the election. Is it possible that the election process will not have these 90 days?

Yes, according to the law, the election process for the next presidential election lasts 90 days, parliamentary elections – 60 days, and local elections – 50 days. The duration depends on the type of election.

As for post-war elections, a law is needed to define their specifics. It will determine the timing of voting abroad, pre-registration of voters, audit of electoral infrastructure, etc. It should also take into account the provision of polling stations, premises, equipment and organizational issues that affect the timing.

Changes are inevitable, but they should be determined by the parliament. Elections are regulated exclusively by law, and any merger of elections could significantly complicate the process.

It should also be borne in mind that the electoral system in Ukraine is often changed. If this happens again, there will be even more organizational challenges.