In Ukraine, it is impossible to hold elections while the war is ongoing, or lawmakers need to change the legislation, but society is against it, stated Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
In an interview with Lex Friedman, he reminded that due to the state of war, presidential elections scheduled for spring 2024 and parliamentary elections in the fall did not take place.
"In other words, everyone in Ukraine understands that it (elections – IF-U) cannot be done until the war ends, or legislation must be changed. I believe that elections will take place immediately after the end of martial law. This is according to the law. Or lawmakers need to convene and change the legislation, which will be very difficult because society is against it," Zelensky said.
The president explained that society is opposed because infrastructure needs to be established for voting for 8.5 million Ukrainians who have left the country. Additionally, the president reminded that millions of people are in occupied territories.
"What to do with those people? It is a complex question. And one of the most unfair scenarios is to vote without a million military personnel. In other words, this is impossible," Zelensky emphasized.
He noted that for elections during wartime, voting systems would need to be changed, particularly considering online voting; however, everyone is afraid "due to various attacks, cyber threats, and so on."
The president also expressed a desire to hold elections in the year the war concludes.