Ukrainian authorities’ legitimacy when elections are impossible
The new normal that Ukraine has been forced into after Russia’s full-scale invasion on the 24th of February 2022 raises questions for the Ukrainian government, politicians, experts, and society about whether democratic elections are possible in Ukraine while the active phase of the war is ongoing. This also raises questions about the legitimacy of Ukrainian […]
“Putin’s elections”: how the Kremlin organizes a high turnout of “voters” in the temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories
By Dmytro Bashtovyi, analyst of the Civil Network “OPORA” Why, in the conditions of hostilities, the involvement of the local population in pseudo-election processes can be qualified as a war crime On March 15-17, presidential “elections” are held in Russia. “Balloting” has been going on for three weeks in the occupied territories of Ukraine. The […]
Civil Network “OPORA”
OPORA is one of the leading non-governmental and non-partisan All-Ukrainian organizations for public oversight and advocacy in the field of elections, parliamentarism, education, joint ownership, energy efficiency, local self-government, as well as the comprehensive implementation of the principle of open data. It strives for sustainable development of society, irreversible changes that can be ensured through […]
Committee of Voters of Ukraine
CVU aims to promote democratic changes in the country, including through independent non-governmental monitoring of election and referendum processes, both at the national and local levels, as well as public lobbying of the relevant legislative changes. CVU was founded in February 20, 1994 as an independent non-partisan organization with national status. Since then, it has […]
Civil Network OPORA and IFES present a roadmap for electoral reform in Ukraine
While Russia’s all-out war of aggression continues and martial law is in force, holding elections in Ukraine is not allowed by its legislation and presently unfeasible. However, though elections are on hold, electoral reform should advance as soon as possible. Considering the scale of the challenges for Ukraine’s next elections, the Verkhovna Rada and other […]
Legal information on the impossibility of holding elections under conditions of martial law – Civil Network OPORA
With the approach of constitutionally established period for scheduling the parliamentary and presidential elections, the debate on the possibility of conduct of elections under conditions of martial law is heating up both in Ukraine and among our international partners. Civil network OPORA and more than 200 other NGOs have already taken a stand against the proposal […]
Statement: Ukrainian Civil Society is Against Holding Elections During War
Elections and full-scale war are incompatible. Holding elections during a full-scale war is extremely dangerous. It can lead to the loss of legitimacy for both the electoral process and elected bodies, potentially undermining the state as a whole. During a full-scale war, a state cannot guarantee an environment where electoral process participants can freely and […]
How Russia prepares for pseudo-elections in the occupied territories of Ukraine
Russia plans to hold so-called “elections” to the “legislative bodies” (in other words, occupation governments) in the occupied areas of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia oblasts as well as in 79 municipal districts this coming fall. The Kremlin’s decision-makers seek to legalize the annexation of Ukrainian territory with the help of so-called “elections”, so they […]
Challenges of pre-election campaigning in the first post-war elections
Enabling Ukrainian immigrants to vote abroad is a significant concern in post-war elections. There are 8.5 million forcibly displaced Ukrainians registered in European countries, with more living abroad. Facilitating the election process abroad poses challenges, such as maintaining accurate voter lists and limited campaigning methods. Messaging apps and social media are crucial for reaching Ukrainians […]
European electoral management bodies and experts call for support to Ukraine over voting rights for war-displaced voters in post-war elections
The European Union, Member States and election bodies need to explore the possibilities to provide support for Ukraine to ensure millions of displaced voters from the Russian aggression can vote in postwar, according to a dialogue of European lawmakers, election management bodies and experts. This was the major recommendation of a Parliamentary Electoral Dialogue hosted by the […]