Ukraine's parliament begins work on law for elections under martial law

The first meeting of the special working group, chaired by parliament's first deputy speaker Oleksandr Korniyenko, has now taken place.

Officials said the legislature has begun preparing a bill on holding elections under martial law.

The working group includes 62 members: lawmakers, representatives of the Central Election Commission, soldiers and judges.

Meetings are planned every two weeks, with the next tentatively scheduled for early January.

Elections in Ukraine during war

On Dec. 18, Zelenskyy said he is ready for presidential elections in response to a U.S. request. At the same time, the issue of parliamentary and local elections has not yet been raised.

On Dec. 22, Servant of the People faction leader David Arakhamia said the Verkhovna Rada is forming a working group to "quickly process the issue" of possible presidential elections under martial law.

Ukraine's parliament speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk approved creating the working group on Dec. 23, to be led by first deputy speaker Oleksandr Korniyenko. Arakhamia later said the Central Election Commission resumed work on the State Voter Register, which may indicate gradual preparations for elections.

On Dec. 23, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine could hold a referendum on the 20-point peace agreement simultaneously with elections. He stated that the agreement could also be submitted to parliament, with security guarantees taking effect only after ratification or public approval.