Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy faces mounting pressure to conduct wartime elections, despite the constitutional prohibition on holding them during martial law. Mykhailo Fedorov, a former defense minister recently ousted from his government position, has urged for the implementation of a legal and feasible mechanism to restore Ukraine’s democratic processes amidst the ongoing conflict with Russia that commenced in February 2022.
While the feasibility of immediate elections remains questionable due to the current state of war, the political implications of these demands cannot be disregarded by Zelenskyy. Tymofiy Mylovanov, a former government minister, remarked that Fedorov’s advocacy for elections has raised significant domestic political discourse without necessarily expediting the likelihood of imminent polls.
Fedorov, who served as a prominent reformist and technology-savvy member of Zelenskyy’s administration, was perceived as a pivotal figure before his dismissal. Despite being known for his advocacy of drone warfare against Russia, Fedorov’s tenure abruptly ended in July, sparking nationwide protests demanding his reinstatement.
The contention over the plausibility of conducting elections during the ongoing conflict with Russia persists among experts and observers. Dmytro Koziatynskyi, a combat medic and protest leader, questioned the logistical challenges of enabling frontline service personnel to participate in voting. Lesia Bidochko, a policy fellow, criticized Fedorov’s election call as a populist tactic without a practical framework for implementation.
Notably, the feasibility of holding elections during wartime remains a contentious issue, with Ukrainian lawmaker Lesia Vasylenko asserting that constitutional changes necessary for such an endeavor would be exceptionally complex, especially under martial law restrictions. While Zelenskyy has refrained from directly addressing Fedorov’s proposal, his communications adviser highlighted the ongoing military hostilities as a significant impediment to any electoral considerations.
Orysia Lutsevych, from the Ukraine Forum at Chatham House, cautioned against the risks associated with initiating wartime elections, citing potential division within the nation and susceptibilities to external influence, particularly from Moscow. The geopolitical landscape surrounding Ukraine’s electoral processes has also drawn international attention, with Russia questioning Zelenskyy’s legitimacy and former U.S. President Donald Trump advocating for prompt elections to resolve the political deadlock.