Ukraine’s post-war elections: Parliamentary subgroups present key findings at roundtable
The roundtable “Preparation for the First National Post-War Elections in Ukraine: Organisational Challenges and Legislative Developments” was organised by the Centre of Policy and Legal Reform in cooperation with International IDEA and the parliamentary Working Group on post-war elections.
The event was held within the framework of the U-VOTE project, supported by the Government of Norway and implemented by International IDEA, which provides comprehensive support to Ukraine’s democratic processes and electoral preparedness.
The roundtable focused on the results of a parliamentary working group developing legislative proposals for organising elections after the war. The discussion marked an important step from general planning towards more concrete solutions. Participants presented the outcomes of several thematic subgroups working on key areas of electoral preparation. These included election administration, voting abroad, participation of military personnel, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and security conditions for holding elections.
One of the main challenges discussed was how to ensure participation for millions of Ukrainians currently living abroad. Proposed solutions include expanding voting beyond diplomatic missions and improving voter registration processes. Ensuring voting rights for servicemen and servicewomen was also highlighted as a priority. Proposed approaches aim to balance access to voting with security considerations.
Participants also addressed the challenges faced by internally displaced persons and residents of affected territories, including how to ensure their participation in future elections. Security remains a key factor in determining where and how elections can be held. Proposals include developing clear criteria to assess whether conditions are safe for voting in specific areas.
Overall, the discussion showed that significant progress has been made in preparing a legal framework for post-war elections, although some political decisions still need to be addressed.
Participants emphasised that further work would focus on finalising proposals and preparing institutions for implementation. As Ukraine prepares for future elections, ensuring inclusive and credible processes will be essential for strengthening public trust in democratic institutions.
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