Zelensky says Ukraine could consider online elections
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told Germany's ZDF television that the country could consider online voting, though parliament would have to decide on it. He stressed that holding elections without letting soldiers vote would be unfair.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Thursday, 5 November, in an interview with German broadcaster ZDF that Ukraine could consider holding elections online. In wartime conditions this would allow soldiers at the front to take part, but it would require a decision by the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament.
Zelensky stressed that during war the soldier's profession is the most important, because soldiers risk their lives. In his words, allowing elections to go ahead while denying soldiers the chance to vote would be unfair, and he called it 100% unfair. He said online elections might be feasible, but parliament would have to look for and find a solution.
Soldiers' position
The president acknowledged that Ukrainian soldiers at the front currently oppose holding elections. The reason is the lack of any technical means of organising voting in the trenches, where millions of defenders are serving. Zelensky explained that it is the soldiers who have preserved and continue to defend Ukrainian statehood, so guaranteeing their priority right to choose the head of state is a basic condition of a fair electoral process.
Earlier statement
On 11 October Zelensky had said that Ukraine was ready to hold elections if Russia agreed to a full ceasefire for 60 days.
