Poland reportedly ready to help Ukraine organize upcoming elections
Marshal of the Sejm of Poland Włodzimierz Czarzasty (Photo: facebook.com/WlodzimierzCzarzasty)
Poland has offered Ukraine assistance in organizing future presidential or parliamentary elections, including legal and logistical support, states Marshal of the Sejm Włodzimierz Czarzasty.
“I want to say that together with Deputy Marshal Monika Wielichowska, we proposed that when Ukraine decides to hold either presidential or parliamentary elections, we offered the possibility of assistance from our side,” Czarzasty said.
He clarified that the offer does not involve sending observers, but focuses on legal and logistical support.
Marshal of the Sejm Włodzimierz Czarzasty added that currently about 2 million Ukrainians reside in Poland, with more than 8 million across Europe. Given that organizing elections will be a colossal task, the Polish parliament has decided to take the initiative to support Ukraine in this effort.
“This proposal was very warmly received, which is why we created a working group to prepare a team of such specialists and organize the full scope of assistance from Poland,” the Marshal said.
He added that the Head of the Sejm Chancellery, Marek Siwiec, has already consulted with the Polish National Electoral Commission regarding this matter.
Ukraine elections under discussion amid war and diaspora voting plans
Earlier in December, US President Donald Trump stated in an interview that Ukraine should hold presidential elections. He argued that Ukrainian officials are using the war as an excuse to avoid new elections and claimed that Ukraine is no longer a democracy due to the absence of elections.
In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he is willing to participate in elections, but their conduct depends on two key conditions: security and legislative changes.
Shortly afterward, Zelenskyy tasked lawmakers with drafting a bill that would allow elections to take place under martial law.
On December 18, Zelenskyy also announced that Ukraine is exploring the possibility of electronic voting for citizens abroad. He clarified that this discussion currently concerns only the presidential election, with parliamentary or local elections not yet under consideration.
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that he is allegedly willing to pause strikes deep within Ukraine on the day of the election. However, he also made a condition for this pause: the vote must include the 5 to 10 million Ukrainians living in what he calls Russian-controlled territory.
