Ukraine needs elections, but war makes them impossible

Are elections needed in Ukraine? Yes, very much so. Not so much to change the government (which might not necessarily happen), but to reboot the system of political relations. The cycle that began in March 2019 has largely run its course. This is how it usually works here: the system functions for 3-4 years, and then imbalance starts. The great war shifted this, but both the parliament and the executive branch need renewal.

Are elections possible during active war? No, they are not possible. Conducting elections requires conditions in which candidates and voters can freely participate in the campaign and voting process.

"Without a sustainable ceasefire over most of the country, it is impossible to establish the work of commissions, ensure the operation of polling stations, and guarantee proper conditions for counting votes. All of this is an inseparable part of the democratic process. In other words, the legitimacy of the result would inherently be in question."

Trust from citizens and reliable partners is impossible if elections take place under such intense wartime conditions:

1. If a significant portion of voters cannot vote or is subjected to pressure, elections lose their representativeness.
2. If people are afraid to go to polling stations because a missile might strike (this is why comparing the war of 2014-2015 with that of 2022 is foolish), and voter turnout is 20-25%, then what real legitimacy are we talking about?
3. Ensuring observers' access to all polling stations is also impossible without a stable ceasefire.

The ability of military personnel to vote and be elected is a crucial element of legitimacy. Without a stable ceasefire, military personnel who are defending the country and absolutely should have the right not only to vote but also to stand for election will not be able to exercise that right.

"The military is the population group with the highest level of social legitimacy, despite the views of some segments of fools. Most of the military are conscripts, and most of them will not choose a military career. Even professional soldiers may wish to try to change the country through politics."

Only after achieving a stable ceasefire can we talk about the full possibility for military personnel not only to vote but also to conduct election campaigns (if they wish to run). Candidates from among the military must have the same conditions for campaigning. This requires a stable ceasefire.

Kellogg's statement and similar messages from other partners (we ignore Putin’s statements, as who cares?) as well as the noise from internal enemies must receive a clear and direct response: first, the war must end, a stable ceasefire must be established – then elections. It could be three months after a ceasefire is fixed, maybe six – that’s a matter of the quality of guarantees. Under any other conditions, these won’t be elections, but an imitation.

And yes, other countries holding elections during wars are a figment of Kellogg’s imagination. If a war took place on their territory – elections were not held. South Korea in 1952 was not a democracy, and Lee Seungman fabricated the result. The U.S. held elections in 1944 when Roosevelt was re-elected for a fourth term, and there was no war on U.S. soil. As for democratic Britain, it lived with a 1936 parliament until 1945. Somehow, they managed without elections.

To summarize, elections can and must take place under three conditions:

1. Security first, as it guarantees free voting, transparency, and legality—all of which ensure legitimacy.
2. Legitimacy is the priority. The conditions of the vote affect the recognition of the results both domestically and internationally. Ukrainians must trust their own electoral process and know that the majority had the opportunity to vote.
3. Military personnel and those assisting the army must have the right to vote and run for office. This is only possible in the absence of active hostilities.

Therefore, peace and security guarantees first - then elections. Anything else is either fantasy or madness.

Source

About the author. Yurii Bohdanov, publicist, specialist in strategic communications in business, public administration, and politics.

The editors don't always share the opinions expressed by the blog authors.