Ukraine would need international assistance to hold elections in 2024
Mykhailo Podolyak (Photo:REUTERS/Anna Voitenko)
While Ukraine could conceivably amend its
laws and hold
elections in 2024 despite martial law remaining in effect, it would require
additional assistance from Kyiv’s international partners, Ukrainian
presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak told Ukrainian TV broadcasters on Sept.
1.
Podolyak says that “the government is prepared to work within the democratic process… to amend existing legislation.” Ukraine’s constitution says no local or general elections can be held during martial law.
He noted that Kyiv is yet to receive security guarantees from its allies that would allow to ensure the elections are safe for citizens to participate in. He said Ukraine hopes it could get additional Patriot air defense systems to protect its civilian population centers from regular Russian missile strikes.
“… how can we create the conditions for a vote in areas that are close to active combat zones, how can people vote safely in those zones, what we will do in face on repeated Russian missiles attacks,” Podolyak outlines security challenges to holding elections next year.
“… can we, for example, count on additional air defense systems like Patriot — these are all practical questions the president (Volodymyr Zelenskyy) has raised, and they remain unanswered.”
On Aug. 24, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) urged Zelenskyy to “take the next step in the development of democracy, namely to hold presidential and parliamentary elections in 2024.”
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