Zelensky supports introduction of electronic voting in presidential elections
18 December 13:11
Ukraine is studying the option of electronic voting in elections for Ukrainians abroad. At the same time, it is only the presidential election that is being considered – parliamentary and local elections are not yet being considered.
According to RBC-Ukraine, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said this in response to questions from journalists, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
In particular, Zelensky said in response to a question about whether there was any progress in drafting a law on elections during martial law that there was no news on this issue.
“As far as I know, not yet, but I have given them all the signals,” he said.
Zelensky added that only the issue of holding presidential elections is being considered. The United States demanded that Ukraine hold only presidential elections – there was no talk of parliamentary or local elections.
At the same time, the president noted that he has long supported the idea that Ukrainians should be able to vote through Diia or other electronic means. This is especially true for Ukrainians abroad, first and foremost.
“I have always supported and raised the issue of legislative changes to allow people to vote online since the beginning of the Covid. So far, we have not found a consensus with parliamentarians,” he summarized.
Elections in Ukraine: what is known
It is worth noting that US President Donald Trump recently threw a tantrum, saying that Ukraine, in his words, had allegedly lost its democratic status due to the long absence of elections. Trump voiced a number of overtly Russian narratives, including that the war is allegedly being used as an excuse not to hold elections.
In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized his readiness to participate in the elections. But, he said, if the United States wants elections in Ukraine so badly, it must ensure that the voting is safe from Russian terrorist attacks. Then it is possible to hold elections in 60-90 days.
In addition, Zelensky said that he expects proposals from MPs on legislative changes that would allow the organization of elections under martial law – currently, the Constitution of Ukraine prohibits this. According to media reports, Deputy Speaker of the Parliament Oleksandr Kornienko will lead the development of the law.
