From: Meanwhile in Ukraine — In these difficult times, as Ukraine continues to resist Russian aggression, many ask: should elections be held now? Despite different opinions about President Zelensky, most Ukrainians agree: now is not the time for elections. Here’s why:
- Who can vote? Over a million Ukrainians are serving in the Armed Forces, many on the front lines. How can they cast their votes from the trenches? Thousands more are under Russian occupation or have fled abroad. How do we ensure their right to vote?
- Who will run? Many hope to see our defenders as future political leaders. But how can soldiers campaign while fighting on the battlefield? Right now, only those not engaged in the war effort have the luxury of preparing for elections.
- Risk of attacks during elections. After three years of full-scale war, we don’t trust Russia. There is no guarantee that Moscow won’t strike polling stations, even if a ceasefire is declared. Large gatherings remain dangerous.
- Legitimacy of the elections. If a significant part of the population cannot participate, the results will not reflect the people’s true will. We don’t even have exact data on civilian casualties. For example, Mariupol was home to half a million people before the war. Where are they now?
- Constitutional restrictions. The Ukrainian constitution prohibits elections during martial law. The absence of elections during wartime is entirely constitutional.
Ukraine has always pursued democracy, electing five different presidents in the past 20 years, while Russia has had the same dictator for a quarter of a century. So why should we hold elections during a war when our priority is to protect our country and people?
Author: Joe Lindsley (JP Lindsley) is an American journalist who has lived in Ukraine since 2019. He is the founder and editor-in-chief of Ukrainian Freedom News. Since the full-scale invasion, he has actively reported from the front lines, bringing the truth to the world.
Voice of Ukraine 