In a recent interview with the BBC, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that if martial law is not concluded by 2024, the country’s scheduled elections will be postponed.
This follows the constitutional regulation in Ukraine that forbids the conduct of elections during periods of martial law.
Zelensky stated in the interview, “No voting will take place while martial law is in place.”
He elaborated on the stipulation that impedes the execution of elections in times of martial law, citing the country’s constitution.
“The constitution prohibits any elections during martial law,” he clarified.
According to the Ukrainian President, this rule was critical in his decision to possibly postpone the elections.
“If we have martial law, we cannot have elections,” he explained.
He further indicated, however, that “If there is no martial law, then there will be [elections]”.
He additionally voiced his optimism that peace would return to Ukraine in the coming year, suggesting that the everyday lives of Ukrainians could soon resume their normal rhythm.
Nevertheless, he conceded that the ongoing conflict with Russia and a forthcoming counter-offensive by the Ukrainian military had enforced the continuation of martial law.
Echoing the President’s comments, Ruslan Stefanchuk, speaker of the Ukrainian parliament, affirmed that the discussion of parliamentary elections was currently not a priority due to the prevailing martial law.
Moreover, Zelensky, while not entirely certain of the specifics, mentioned that the constitution of Ukraine seems to mandate the conduct of elections approximately 90 days after the termination of martial law.
“Well, the law says that according to the constitution of Ukraine, after martial law ends, I think, in 90 days, elections are held. It’s something like that. I don’t remember actually”, he said.
These comments underline that while Ukraine’s political leadership is aware of the importance of electoral processes, the ongoing martial law serves as a legal and logistical obstacle to their implementation.
