CEC: about six months needed to prepare presidential elections after war

The parliamentary factions of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine have reached an agreement that it will take approximately six months to properly prepare and hold the presidential election after the war. This was stated by Deputy Chairman of the Central Election Commission Serhiy Dubovyk on television on 8 January.

According to him, the current legislation provides for a little more than 90 days to organise the presidential election. At the same time, during inter-factional consultations and within the framework of the so-called Monet Dialogue, it was agreed that this period was not enough for the post-war electoral process. That is why the parties agreed on the need for about six months for full preparation, taking into account security, organisational and technical challenges.

Dubovyk emphasised that if the parliament adopts other decisions, the CEC will ensure the implementation of the law within its powers.

At the same time, the CEC has already taken its first practical steps. on 7 January, the Commission approved a package of legislative proposals on the specifics of holding national elections after the termination or cancellation of martial law. According to CEC Chairman Oleh Didenko, these developments take into account potential risks and the specifics of the post-war period and should become the basis for a broad discussion involving the parliament and civil society.

The CEC also emphasises that the preparation of a new electoral framework is part of Ukraine's European integration commitments. Relevant provisions are contained in the Roadmap for the Functioning of Democratic Institutions and in the European Commission's reports.

Elections in Ukraine are currently legally prohibited under martial law. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has previously stated that he is ready to hold elections, provided security guarantees and support from international partners. The debate has also been intensified by US President Donald Trump's statements about the need to hold elections in Ukraine. At the end of December 2025, a working group was set up in parliament to work on possible changes to the legislation, and the CEC resumed the work of the State Voter Register in terms of interaction with citizens.

Photo: DW