The Rada is Developing a Separate Law for Post-War Elections – Stefaнchuk
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine is actively working on creating a special legal regulation that will govern the election process in the country after the end of the war. This important initiative was announced by the Speaker of the Parliament, Ruslan Stefanchuk, during a live broadcast of the telethon “United News.” According to him, the current electoral legislation, which consists of separate acts and norms, will not be able to adequately address the challenges and specific conditions that will arise in the post-war period. Therefore, a completely new approach to the legal framework of the electoral process is needed, one that is adapted to the realities after the conclusion of hostilities. The Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada emphasized that developing a dedicated bill will be an important step toward establishing clear mechanisms for organizing so-called “post-war elections.” “We are preparing for various scenarios of development because the challenges facing the state and society during this difficult period will be extensive and multidirectional,” Stefanchuk noted. He added that the main goal of the parliament is to ensure that every citizen of Ukraine has the opportunity to exercise their constitutional right to vote, regardless of circumstances. Specifically, this includes addressing a number of critical issues that will emerge during the elections after the war. These include ensuring the participation of military personnel in voting, the right of soldiers to be elected to governing bodies, and taking into account the interests of Ukrainian refugees who are outside the country or in temporary new realities due to the war. Ruslan Stefanchuk stressed that his aim is to create conditions so that post-war elections truly reflect democracy — fair, transparent, and sustainable. “We strive for the electoral process to be fair and to meet the level of democracy that our society aspires to. I believe we will find the right legal compromise to ensure the legitimacy of future elections,” he summed up. On the other hand, it is important to consider that just a few months ago, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy publicly emphasized that holding full elections during a state of war is unfeasible. This underscores the importance of preparing special legislation that takes into account all complexities and nuances of the post-war situation. At the same time, a survey conducted in March 2025 showed that only 22% of Ukrainians support the idea of conducting parliamentary or presidential elections during active hostilities, while the majority — 66% — hold a negative view of this. At this pace, Ukraine is moving toward establishing a legal framework that will allow the electoral process to be genuinely democratic and open in the future, regardless of the difficult circumstances of war. This is an ambitious and crucial step toward maintaining stability and citizens’ rights in the country, even under the most challenging conditions in modern history.