No more fighting for voting time? Zelensky's groundbreaking words about the US role in the Ukrainian elections
The United States can ensure the security of elections in Ukraine, and if they raise this issue, they know how to do it – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Saturday.
— Security – we have already talked about it with American partners, they raised this issue. I think if they raise it, it means they know how to help us ensure safe elections — first of all, it could be a ceasefire or an end to the war, or at least a ceasefire for the duration of the elections — Zelensky said at a joint press conference with Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro.
The president, quoted by the Interfax-Ukraine agency, also emphasized how important it is to provide soldiers fighting on the front with the opportunity to vote. As he noted, it is also important to provide Ukrainians abroad with the opportunity to vote.
— In any case, the citizens of Ukraine – and I believe that the security situation will be favorable for elections – must be assured of the security of their holding. And I think that some Ukrainians from abroad will come to Ukraine for it, Zelensky said.
He also referred to negotiations on ending Russia's war against Ukraine, saying that agreements on this matter are valid not on paper, but when they are implemented.
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— Peace is better than war, but not at any cost, because we have already paid a high price. What is important to us is a just, lasting peace, one that cannot be violated by another wish of Putin or another Putin. Strong security guarantees are very important for this, to prevent even the thought and physical possibility of coming to us with aggression. It cannot simply be an agreement – good, bad – the question is: good for whom, bad for whom? – President Zelensky asked.
According to the electoral calendar and the Ukrainian constitution, presidential elections should be held March 31, 2024 (last Sunday of March in the fifth year of the term). Volodymyr Zelensky's term of office has officially expired May 20, 2024.
Why did the war disrupt the Ukrainian presidential elections?
One of the main obstacles was the law: The Ukrainian law on the legal regime of martial law explicitly prohibits the holding of presidential, parliamentary and local elections while it is in force. Moreover, martial law in practice limits freedom of assembly and campaigning, which makes fair political competition impossible.
Besides, it would be difficult to ensure safety protecting thousands of polling stations from rocket attacks. Gatherings of people in one place would be an easy target for an aggressor. In addition, millions of voters are excluded: Okay. 6 million Ukrainians are abroad, and several million are internal refugees. Organizing a reliable vote for them in the current conditions is very difficult.
The situation on the front is also important: soldiers in the trenches do not have the opportunity to vote, and the right to stand as a candidate would be unavailable to them (for obvious reasons).
