Ukraine takes steps to build system for national referendum
Ukraine creates the nationwide referendum system (Getty Images)
Ukraine’s Central Election Commission (CEC) has adopted a resolution to establish the All-Ukraine Referendum automated information and communications system (AICS) to function as a separate component of the unified information and analytical system (UIAS) Elections, according to the Central Election Commission.
The CEC explained that it has also approved the procedure for developing the new system. The Commission has appealed to the Ukrainian Parliament and the Cabinet of Ministers to secure funding for the solution and has called on international partners to support the establishment of the AICS.
CEC Deputy Head Serhii Dubovyk said that Ukrainian law requires the Commission to establish a single automated system for elections and referendums. However, funding to launch a full-scale UIAS has not been allocated and is not covered by the 2026 state budget.
“Therefore, the Commission considers it the most optimum alternative to create the All-Ukraine Referendum AICS as a component of the current Elections UIAS, which was modernized this year and strengthened cybersecurity,” he said.
Presidential election in Ukraine
Earlier, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he was ready to hold an election if the US and European partners supported it, particularly in organizing the electoral process.
He said this amid US President Donald Trump's statements that the time has come for the presidential election in Ukraine. In addition, a draft peace plan includes a provision calling for elections in Ukraine as soon as possible after the signing of a peace agreement.
Previously, Zelenskyy urged members of parliament to work on potential legislative changes. On December 22, Servant of the People parliamentary faction leader Davyd Arakhamia announced the creation of a working group to quickly address the holding of the presidential election under martial law.
Parliament Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk stressed that any election law during wartime would be a one-time measure. At the same time, the Central Election Commission has resumed the automated state register of voters system.
The Parliament has already begun to work on a draft election law. The working group included more than 60 members.
According to Digital Transformation Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, holding a presidential election via the Diia app is not currently considered, and no practical steps are taken in this regard. It would require legislative changes, as well as decisions from the Parliament and the Central Election Commission.
