Elections can only happen under secure conditions and with legal changes — CEC

Current law prohibits elections during a state of martial law.

"Under wartime conditions, elections cannot be held," he said. “President Volodymyr Zelenskyy first emphasized the security factor. Elections can take place only when there are appropriate peaceful conditions and corresponding legal conditions.”

Ukraine's legislation, designed for peacetime, needs a review, Dubovyk added.

"Once prerequisites appear and the legal issue of martial law is resolved, we can talk about holding elections," he said. “But conducting elections requires changes to legislation that would account for the nuances of postwar elections or elections after the end of active hostilities.”

According to Dubovyk, the legislature must develop a roadmap and draft a bill for this.

"The Central Election Commission, together with the expert community and representatives of international partners, is working on necessary legislative changes," he said.

“But under these conditions, the ball is in the Verkhovna Rada's court. We hope work will begin on the working group announced at the conciliatory council. And we will be able to actively join these processes and organize the preparation of legislative acts.”

When elections will take place in Ukraine

On Feb. 25, the Verkhovna Rada passed a resolution supporting democracy in Ukraine, stating that elections cannot be held in the country until the war ends.

Parliament Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk said the legislature is considering a number of issues necessary for further forming a bill on holding elections in Ukraine. At the same time, elections are possible only after the war ends.

In March, Central Election Commission head Oleh Didenko said current legislation sets clear timelines for elections after martial law ends: parliamentary within 60 days, presidential within 90.

Meanwhile, bill No. 13464 has been registered in parliament, which could potentially allow elections during martial law. The explanatory note to the document states its goal is to adapt electoral legislation to wartime conditions.

Ukraine is ready to hold elections, but only under safe circumstances, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said during a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on Aug. 18. He added that "elections cannot be held during war."