A subgroup preparing for post-war elections has drafted amendments to the Electoral Code concerning the voting eligibility of individuals associated with the aggressor and the digitalisation of procedures for internally displaced persons (IDPs).
This was explained to LB.ua by Vitaliy Bezgin, a People’s Deputy from the Servant of the People faction and co-chair of the subgroup on Electoral Law amendments.
No polling stations in Russia, Belarus, or temporarily occupied territories
According to Bezgin, the subgroup unanimously supported the position that polling stations cannot be established in the territory of the Russian Federation, the Republic of Belarus, or temporarily occupied areas of Ukraine. This decision must be explicitly reflected in the text of the draft law.
The deputy emphasised that this “red line” is a principled stance due to security risks and issues of legitimacy.
Voting duration: longer hours, not multiple days
The second position concerns the organisation of the election day itself. Bezgin estimates that for the first post-war elections in Ukraine, it will probably be necessary either to extend the opening hours of polling stations or consider holding voting over several days. However, the subgroup favours extending hours within a single day rather than a multi-day format.
He believes this approach will maintain a balance between accessibility for voters and control over the process.
No postal or electronic voting
The third decision concerns alternative voting methods. According to Bezgin, neither postal voting nor electronic voting received support in the subgroup. Arguments against them included the lack of societal consensus and the risk of undermining the legitimacy of the results.
He stressed that for the first post-war elections, any tools perceived warily by society could call the mandate of the winner into question.