PACE confirmed that it is impossible to hold elections during martial law
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) adopted a resolution entitled "Elections in times of crisis," confirming that elections cannot be held during martial law. The decision was supported on Tuesday, 27 January, during a session in Strasbourg. One hundred delegates voted in favour of the document, while six abstained.
The text of the resolution states that, in accordance with international democratic standards, it is impossible to hold elections during martial law. The authors of the document refer to previous PACE decisions and emphasise that Russia's full-scale aggression against Ukraine is one of the most serious challenges to the rights and freedoms of citizens and the functioning of democratic institutions.
The Assembly notes that modern electoral processes are increasingly taking place in conditions of constant risk. These include the polarisation of societies, large-scale disinformation, foreign interference, cyberattacks and the consequences of armed conflicts. In this regard, PACE recommends that states update their electoral legislation, ensure transparency in decisions on possible postponement of elections, strengthen cyber defence and develop systematic countermeasures against disinformation.
Separately, the Assembly stressed the need for an urgent review of approaches to national security and election protection against the backdrop of Russia's war against Ukraine and broader hybrid threats to Council of Europe countries.
At the same time, PACE called on member states to continue supporting countries that have experienced prolonged conflicts or emergencies, with particular attention to Ukraine. The aim of such support should be to ensure safe, inclusive and reliable expression of will in accordance with European and international standards as soon as conditions allow.
PACE, Strasbourg, resolution, elections, Council of Europe, Ukraine
