Working group opposes online and postal voting in post-war elections – CHESNO Movement

A working group drafting legislative proposals for Ukraine’s post-war elections has spoken out against alternative voting methods such as online or postal voting.

This was reported by CHESNO Movement leader Vita Dumanska during the conference “Future Elections: Legislative Changes and Political Trends,” an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

“There are political issues on which consensus has emerged. There will be no alternative forms of voting. This working group – and the relevant subgroup – reached this conclusion. That is, there will be no online voting and no voting by mail,” Dumanska said.

According to her, the working group also agreed that voting abroad would not be limited solely to diplomatic missions.

In addition, experts reached consensus on the inadvisability of spreading elections over an extended period. “That is, as is standardly prescribed – a single voting day – that is how it will take place. There were discussions about allowing a longer period so that everyone could vote,” Dumanska added.

She noted that subgroups are currently presenting their proposals, and that consensus has not been reached on all issues. The greatest progress has been made on technical matters, while discussions on some political issues have not yet begun.

In this context, Dumanska emphasized that very important issues remain, including the sequencing of elections, the possible change of the electoral system in the context of parliamentary elections, and the issue of lustration.

The working group tasked with preparing comprehensive legislative proposals on the organization and conduct of elections during a special period and/or post-war elections in Ukraine began its work on December 26, 2025. It is chaired by First Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada Oleksandr Korniienko and includes representatives of parliamentary factions, relevant ministries, security agencies, and leading civil society organizations.

As reported by Ukrinform, members of parliament have proposed including restrictions on passive electoral rights in the post-war elections bill as an additional penalty for certain crimes.

In January, President Volodymyr Zelensky said that online voting could help enable participation by military personnel and Ukrainians abroad, but that no final decision on the matter has yet been made.