Politico: Ukraine explores online voting in post-war elections

Ukraine is studying European models of electoral legislation, as well as electronic voting. Photo: «Word and Deed»

Ukraine is studying European models of electoral legislation, as well as electronic voting. It may be implemented in the country after the end of the war with Russia.

This is reported by Politico.

Olena Shuliak, head of the Rada Committee on the Organization of State Power, told the publication that «the country has a huge problem with the electoral register because people have gone abroad.» According to her, 6.5 million Ukrainians alone are internally displaced persons.

“We need to understand how we can democratically hold elections using the best and most effective practices,” said Olena Shulyak.

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Therefore, according to her, after the war, one of the key problems will remain providing citizens scattered around the world with the opportunity to vote, including in the Russian-occupied Ukrainian territory.

«Where they are now, where they will vote — all this needs to be decided,» said the MP.

Olena Shuliak added that Ukrainian officials are studying various European election models to adopt practices that will allow for free and fair elections after the war ends.

«We are interested in (the nuances, — ed.) of electronic voting and the technical assessment of other alternative voting options, particularly from the point of view of IT security,» she added.

In addition, it is indicated that the possibility of postal voting, voting abroad on election day, proxy voting, and online voting are being considered.

The publication draws attention to the fact that according to the recommendations of the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe and the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, significant changes to electoral legislation should be adopted at least a year before the date of the next elections in Ukraine.

Recall that in September, the Central Election Commission (CEC) resumed the work of the State Register of Voters (SVR) in terms of recording permanent polling stations.

It was also reported that amid discussions of possible elections in Ukraine, political forces are actively preparing for the campaign. In particular, the presidential party «Servant of the People» is considering rebranding.