The Limited Times

Now you can see non-English news...

Ukraine is already thinking about elections after the end of the war: Kiev's election commissioner describes preparations

2023-06-08T18:52:12.356Z

Highlights: Ukraine's top election commissioner, Oleh Didenko, said: "Our country must prepare for the risk that Russia will try to install its representatives, its agents" Ukraine is bracing itself for possible Russian infiltration. More than 8 million Ukrainians, about 20 percent of the population, have fled abroad after the war broke out. Ukrainian delegates in Brussels discussed how to enable their election officials from other European countries. An increased number of polling stations as well as voting methods such as postal voting, are some technical options currently being considered.



Ukraine may still be at war, but it is already preparing for peacetime elections – and is considering how to deal with possible Russian infiltration.

Brussels – Thousands of miles from the front line of the Ukraine war, Ukrainian officials and European delegates met in Brussels last week to discuss how to organize the country's first post-war elections, reports the US daily Politico. Developments are being watched closely within the European Union, because there is a great danger of Russian interference.

Although Ukraine is still at war, it is already preparing for peacetime elections – delegates met for talks in Brussels. (Symbolic image) © Evgeniy Maloletka/dpa

Ukraine is already thinking about elections after the end of the war: Kiev's election commissioner describes preparations against Moscow's influence

Despite the signs of Putin's loss of power observed by Zelensky, Ukraine is bracing itself for possible Russian infiltration. In an interview with Politico, Ukraine's top election commissioner, Oleh Didenko, said: "Our country must prepare for the risk that Russia will try to install its representatives, its agents, in the Ukrainian authorities."

Ukraine needs to think about how to protect itself from Russian interference in the elections.

Oleh Didenko, Head of the Central Election Commission of Ukraine (CEC)

Initially, the parliamentary elections in Ukraine were scheduled for October and the presidential elections for next year. However, due to the war, preparations for both elections have been frozen for the time being. Didenko, the head of the Central Election Commission of Ukraine (CEC), stressed: "I understand that Ukraine should ensure democratic standards regarding the rights of elected officials when holding post-war elections." However, he added that Ukraine needs to think about how to protect itself from interference and prevent a "threat to national security."

Preparations for post-war elections: Kyiv takes measures against Russian interference

Kiev has already taken measures to limit the influence of pro-Russian parties. In May 2022, Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a ban on all 11 pro-Kremlin parties in the country accused of undermining Ukraine's sovereignty. The Opposition Platform – For Life, once the second-largest political force in Ukraine's parliament, tried unsuccessfully to challenge the ban in court.

In January, Zelensky also revoked the citizenship of four lawmakers, including Viktor Medvedchuk, a former ally of President Vladimir Putin. However, some pro-Kremlin politicians are still active, while the remaining MPs from the opposition Platform for Life have split into two newly formed groups.

We have a terrorist neighbor, and it will not disappear after our victory. He will still be present.

Oleh Didenko, Head of the Central Election Commission of Ukraine (CEC)

Asked whether Ukrainian authorities are considering banning these groups from running in post-war elections, Didenko said: "The decision will be made by the court on a case-by-case basis, after carefully considering the activities and agenda of the parties."

0

Also Read

Tank attacks launched: Ukrainian offensive breaks through Putin's front line

READ

Fear of worst-case scenario in Zaporizhzhia: Dam explosion endangers cooling water supply at nuclear power plant

READ

In the event of war: by no means all Germans find refuge in the bunker

READ

Kakhovka Dam: Nuclear power plant operator warns – water from reservoir is no longer sufficient for cooling

READ

"Everyone just shouted": Habeck whines in the heating dispute about scapegoat role

READ

Fancy a voyage of discovery?

My Area

The election commissioner also stressed that Russia's attack on Ukrainian democracy will not end in war: "We have a terrorist neighbor, and it will not disappear after our victory. He will still be present."

Challenge for Ukraine elections: 20 percent of the population live abroad as refugees

However, concerns about Russian interference are just one of many challenges Ukraine will face in holding its first post-war elections: More than 8 million Ukrainians, about 20 percent of the population, have fled abroad after the war broke out. Ukrainian delegates in Brussels discussed how to enable their participation in the elections with election officials from other European countries.

An increased number of polling stations in third countries, as well as the introduction of new voting methods such as electronic or postal voting, are some of the technical options currently being considered, Didenko explained.

Elections in Ukraine: New electoral model is being discussed in Brussels

However, the new electoral model will be a political decision made by the Ukrainian parliament. Sam van der Staak, Director of the Europe Programme of International IDEA, which organised the discussions in Brussels together with the European Parliament, said: "We must ensure that, firstly, the decision is supported by all political forces in Ukraine and, secondly, that it enjoys the trust of citizens". He added: "Ukraine has to get it right from the start, because everyone is watching, including Russia."

Ukraine is under martial law: according to the constitution, no elections possible until further notice

Russia's ongoing war, which is responsible for the illegal annexation of the Black Sea peninsula of Crimea and allegedly the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam, has brought democratic life in Ukraine to a virtual standstill. According to the constitution, no elections can be held under martial law. Martial law was declared by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the morning of February 24, 2022, the start of the Russian invasion on, and has been maintained ever since.

Source: merkur

All news articles on 2023-06-08

You may like

News/Politics 2024-02-26T05:16:26.409Z

Trends 24h

News/Politics 2024-03-28T06:04:53.137Z

Latest

© Communities 2019 - Privacy

The information on this site is from external sources that are not under our control.
The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.