Zelensky Proposes Widespread Polygraph Testing for Officials to Strengthen National Security
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced a sweeping initiative to implement regular lie detector tests for all government officials with access to state secrets.
This proposal has been incorporated into a bill that the president has already submitted to the Verkhovna Rada, aiming to enhance national security and bolster trust in law enforcement institutions.
According to Zelensky, the initiative is not limited solely to anti-corruption agencies such as NABU or SAP, but extends to officers of DBR, the National Police, and other agencies handling classified information.
The law stipulates that these exams will be conducted on a routine basis to prevent potential abuses and ensure loyalty.
The president emphasized that the draft law was developed in close cooperation with law enforcement, anti-corruption bodies, and international experts from the UK, Germany, and the EU.
He tasked the government with presenting the bill to all relevant partners and engaging necessary expertise for its refinement.
The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine clarified that polygraph checks will be performed exclusively by the Bureau’s Internal Control Department, and not by the Security Service of Ukraine.
Public reaction has been mixed, with mass protests erupting in Kyiv and other cities, voicing opposition to the existing laws affecting NABU and SAP.
Following the protests, Zelensky hinted at drafting a new bill designed to guarantee the independence of anti-corruption agencies and firmly establish the rule of law, shielding it from external influence, particularly Russian interference.
The European Union welcomed this initiative, acknowledging its significance in the ongoing fight against corruption and efforts toward Ukraine’s European integration.