Zelenskyy backs electronic voting for presidential elections
Photo: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Getty Images)
Ukraine is considering the option of electronic voting in elections. However, this currently only applies to presidential elections—parliamentary and local elections are not being considered at this time, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says in response to questions from journalists.
In response to a question about whether there had been any progress in drafting a law on elections during martial law, Zelenskyy says that there was no news on this matter.
"As far as I know, there isn't yet, but I have conveyed all the signals to them," he says.
Zelenskyy adds that only the issue of holding presidential elections is currently being considered. The US demanded that Ukraine hold only presidential elections - there was no talk of parliamentary or local elections.
At the same time, the President notes that he has long supported the idea that Ukrainians should be able to vote via Diia or other electronic means.
"I have always supported and raised the issue since the beginning of COVID-19 regarding legislative changes so that people can vote online. So far, we have not reached a consensus with parliamentarians," he concludes.
Elections in Ukraine
US President Donald Trump recently claimed that Ukraine had allegedly lost its status as a democracy due to the prolonged absence of elections. Trump voiced many openly Russian narratives, in particular that the war was allegedly being used as an excuse not to hold elections.
In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized his willingness to participate in the elections. But, he said, if the US wants elections in Ukraine so badly, it must ensure the security of the vote from Russian terrorist attacks. Then it would be possible to hold elections in 60-90 days.
In addition, Zelenskyy said that he was awaiting proposals from MPs on legislative changes that would allow elections to be held under martial law, which is currently prohibited by the Ukrainian Constitution. According to sources at RBC-Ukraine, Deputy Speaker of Parliament Oleksandr Kornienko will lead the drafting of the law.
