"These will be unique elections": Stefanchuk discusses when and how voting may take place

Elections in Ukraine will definitely not occur while martial law is in effect. However, behind the scenes, MPs have long been working on a transitional bill that will govern the first post-war elections, to be held when conditions permit.

This was stated by Verkhovna Rada Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk in an interview with RBC-Ukraine.

The parliament speaker emphasized the importance of holding elections in Ukraine and indicated when they might take place.

“Elections are a matter of societal survival for Ukraine. They are critical. So, yes, we are waiting for martial law to end, when the Verkhovna Rada will establish rules to conduct this phase of elections,” Stefanchuk said.

He stressed that “these will be unique elections, unlike any Ukraine has ever seen.”

“They won’t fall under any elections defined in the Constitution. They are neither regular nor, obviously, early elections. Most likely, they will be called "regular elections held after the end of martial law." This will be a one-time law enabling these elections, allowing us to return to the standard system outlined in the Constitution and the Electoral Code,” the Verkhovna Rada Speaker explained.

According to him, discussions are being held “quietly” to avoid politicizing the issue, as publicizing it would immediately trigger talk of “elections tomorrow!” Lawmakers are meeting with Central Election Commission members to “figure out voter lists, people’s locations, and registry updates—a colossal task.”