CEC explains when a referendum can be held in Ukraine
2 December 18:32
Deputy Chairman of the Central Election Commission Serhiy Dubovyk said that the current legislation does not provide for any elections or national referendums during martial law. He said this in a commentary to "Komersant Ukrainian", commenting on public discussions around the possible holding of a referendum.
According to the official, all media statements or proposals of certain international partners about possible procedures during the war are manipulative or speculative, as the law expressly prohibits this.
When a referendum is possible
Dubovyk emphasized that a referendum will be possible only after martial law is lifted, or if the Verkhovna Rada adopts special amendments to the law.
“Only then can we talk about something real. At the moment, everything is at the level of discussions among journalists, experts and some international partners,” he added.
Procedures after martial law is lifted
The official explained that after the legal regime of martial law is lifted, all further actions should be carried out within the framework of the current laws:
- a referendum should be officially announced in accordance with the Law “On All-Ukrainian Referendum”
- elections of the president, parliament and local councils should be held strictly according to the constitutional procedure;
- a special decision of the Verkhovna Rada is required to start any process.
“I emphasize: all this is possible only after the martial law is lifted,” said Dubovyk.
Thus, any public discussions about possible referendums or elections during the war, according to the CEC, have no legal basis and remain hypothetical.
As a reminder, German Foreign Minister Johannes Wadefuhl said that Ukraine may be forced to make “painful concessions ” to end the war with Russia. It may even need to hold a referendum.
