Elections in Ukraine should take place after end of martial law - Stefanchuk

The relevant statement was made in an interview with Ukrayinska Pravda, Ukrinform reports.

"I have a principle: if you don't know how - act as the law says. Accordingly, the legislation of Ukraine stipulates that during martial law, any elections are impossible. And this is logical," Stefanchuk said.

He emphasized that the Ukrainian authorities do not know how to organize voting for almost seven million Ukrainians who are currently outside Ukraine, as well as for citizens living in the regions temporarily occupied by the Russian Federation. "We don't know how to ensure proper representation, turnout of other citizens during martial law, and whether the election facilities will be attacked. Therefore, it seems to me that a very wise decision is laid down in the legislation of Ukraine that elections cannot be held during martial law," the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada argued.

The speaker of the Ukrainian parliament expressed the opinion that holding elections during the war could lead to a "breakup of the state," which is what Russia expects. "That is why I think the most correct and wise decision is to hold elections immediately after the end of martial law," he added.

As reported, the next regular parliamentary elections were to be held in October 2023, and the presidential elections in the spring of 2024. However, according to the law, the legal regime of martial law makes it impossible to hold elections.