Frankfurt (Germany), 6 Nov. (LaPresse) – Ukraine could consider the possibility of holding online elections, but Parliament would first need to identify and approve a legislative solution. This was stated by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in an interview with the German broadcaster ZDF, whilst discussing the issue of voting during the war. “All professions are important, but in times of war, that of a soldier is the most important, because soldiers risk their lives. Allowing elections to take place without giving the military the chance to vote would be unfair. It would be 100 per cent unfair. We could consider online elections. It might be feasible, but Parliament would have to seek and find a solution,” said Zelensky. The President added that Ukrainian military personnel deployed along the front line are opposed to elections at this time, because the technical conditions do not exist to organise voting in the trenches, where millions of Ukraine’s defenders are stationed. These, he emphasised, are the people who have preserved the state’s sovereignty and continue to defend it: guaranteeing them the right to choose the head of state is therefore a fundamental requirement for ensuring a fair electoral process. On 11 October, Zelensky had stated that Kyiv was prepared to hold elections if Russia agreed to a full 60-day ceasefire.
Ukraine, Zelensky: “We are considering online elections; Parliament must find a solution”
Frankfurt (Germany), 6 Nov. (LaPresse) – Ukraine could consider the possibility of holding online elections, but Parliament would first need to identify and approve a legislative solution. This was stated by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in an interview with the German broadcaster ZDF, whilst discussing the issue of voting during the war. “All professions are important, but in times of war, that of a soldier is the most important, because soldiers risk their lives. Allowing elections to take place without giving the military the chance to vote would be unfair. It would be 100 per cent unfair. We could consider online elections. It might be feasible, but Parliament would have to seek and find a solution,” said Zelensky. The President added that Ukrainian military personnel deployed along the front line are opposed to elections at this time, because the technical conditions do not exist to organise voting in the trenches, where millions of Ukraine’s defenders are stationed. These, he emphasised, are the people who have preserved the state’s sovereignty and continue to defend it: guaranteeing them the right to choose the head of state is therefore a fundamental requirement for ensuring a fair electoral process. On 11 October, Zelensky had stated that Kyiv was prepared to hold elections if Russia agreed to a full 60-day ceasefire.