Democracy in war time must be protected even more than during peace time because the cost of a mistake or loss of trust is extremely high.
Our friends’ and partners’ efforts should ensure that the elections result in a genuine expression of the will of the Ukrainian nation. Just as the international standards for peaceful and post-conflict elections are no different, there is no other measure of democracy than the real access of citizens to govern their state through their representatives, legally elected in free and fair elections by secret ballot without intimidation or threats.
It is Russia’s unprovoked act of aggression against a sovereign state which makes holding presidential and parliamentary elections in Ukraine impossible. Russia is not a democracy: there is no real opposition, no independent media, no minimum rights and freedoms, and no political pluralism. In contrast, there is true consensus in Ukraine regarding the need to have elections no earlier than six months after the end of martial law and this is supported by the government, opposition, and society. The legitimacy of the Ukrainian government is the exclusive prerogative of the Ukrainian people.
Any peace process should take into account Ukraine's voice and a logical sequence of democratic steps for an election: 1) a sustainable ceasefire under the security guarantees of the guarantor countries; 2) proper preparation for elections and restoration of the relevant infrastructure; 3) holding elections after sustainable peace is achieved, martial law is lifted, and the war is settled internationally.
Holding elections in the next six months does not correspond either to security realities, the political and economic situation, nor public sentiment in Ukraine. As of February 2024, 69% of Ukrainians believed that Volodymyr Zelenskyy should remain President until the end of martial law without holding elections. This is authentic proof of unity in society and respect for the military, who are currently defending Ukraine and cannot fully participate in the political process.
It is obvious from the point of view of the Constitution and Ukrainian legislation that holding elections during martial law is prohibited, and the authorities continue to unceasingly and legitimately exercise their powers during this period.
One of the most important challenges for holding elections in Ukraine without sustainable peace is the lack of proper legal mechanisms for organizing them and ensuring voter participation. The development of these mechanisms should consider the consequences of Russian aggression. In addition to establishing the necessary legal framework for post-war elections—let alone wartime elections—Ukraine needs to ensure that millions of its citizens can vote, including those who had to flee abroad, internally displaced persons who have left their homes due to the destruction of cities and villages, and military personnel defending the country.
In turn, to hold elections properly, democratic conditions must be created, including the possibility of free activity of the media, political parties, and civil society organizations, and the search for parliamentary consensus on the rules. Therefore, additional time is needed for the transition from the current martial law to the election period.
Elections are about having the freedom to express the political will, and involve the preparation and organization of voting. Equally important are the day-to-day tasks that are critical in a post-war environment: the work of election commissions, secure voting facilities, cyber-attack-proof information systems, and protecting the transparency and security of the process as a whole.
The unstable security situation, the threats of shelling, the terrorist acts and sabotage, as well as landmines and unexploded ordnance throughout the territories create substantial obstacles at all stages of the electoral process: from the ballot delivery to the possibility of proper observation of electoral procedures, from free campaigning to potentially low voter turnout due to security threats. The fundamental principles of equal and universal suffrage could be jeopardized. Holding elections in an environment where candidates and voters can be targeted by missiles and drones is contrary to human rights principles.
The most significant challenge for electoral democracy in Ukraine is interference in this process by Russia, which will be ready to use any means to do so: from cyberattacks to direct voter bribery, from spreading disinformation and dividing society to discrediting candidates deemed “unacceptable” by Russian authorities and financing the campaigns of loyal politicians. Ukraine—both state and society—must prepare for such interference to preserve the sovereignty, democracy, and freedom that Ukrainians are defending on the battlefield. This requires sufficient time, an independent audit of risks, and a significant strengthening of mechanisms to counter illegal interference in elections.
Undoubtedly, elections in Ukraine must take place—but only after the war is over, sustainable peace is achieved, and security and other conditions are in place to allow for free, fair, democratic, and accessible elections. Ukraine has never refused to hold elections, but organizing them takes time and resources, not demands.
We would sincerely appreciate it if the leaders of the free world would invest their energy and resources in guaranteeing security for Ukraine and preparing for the first post-war elections as a matter of priority. This will help ensure that they are held as soon as possible in accordance with international standards.
UKRAINIAN VERSION: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fi-9GL_W2XgoPPxbvNTEKzxKpX75jlL-4LLAqrLkwuI/edit?usp=sharing
SIGNEES
| 1. Civil Network OPORA |
| 2. ICUV, AntAC |
| 3. Digital Security Lab Ukraine |
| 4. ANTS |
| 5. Ukrainian Volunteer Service |
| 6. Human Rights Platform |
| 7. NGO “Social Synergy” |
| 8. Public Diplomacy Platform |
| 9. "New Europe Center" |
| 10. Internews Ukraine |
| 11. Anti-Corruption Research and Education Centre |
| 12. NGO "Molodvizh" |
| 13. Center of Social Initiatives “Perspective” |
| 14. Ukrainian women lawyers association “JurFem” |
| 15. Institute of Mass Information |
| 16. Decolonization NGO |
| 17. Centre for Global Studies "Strategy XXI" |
| 18. "Space of Freedom" movement |
| 19. NGO "Lviv Open Lab" |
| 20. Ukrainian Center for Independent Political Research |
| 21. Український центр європейської політики |
| 22. Women in Media NGO |
| 23. Centre for Economic Strategy |
| 24. Public organization "Expert group "OWL" |
| 25. NGO "Network of Responsible People" |
| 26. Public organization “Eradum” |
| 27. NGO "Parents for vaccination" |
| 28. Non-Governmental Organization “League of Social Workers of Ukraine”. |
| 29. NGO "Horizon of changes " |
| 30. "December the First" Initiative Group |
| 31. Institute for Economic Research and Policy Consulting |
| 32. Informal association "Youth Movement" |
| 33. NGO DIY - KRAMATORSK |
| 34. NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION "POWER OF THE FUTURE" |
| 35. Non-governmental organization “Civil Holding “Group of Influence” |
| 36. Space Research Councel .Ukrainian Astronomical Association |
| 37. NGO "Expert Corps" |
| 38. UkraineWorld.org |
| 39. Online media The First Kryvorizkyi (1KR.UA) |
| 40. Charitable organisation "Charitable Foundation Implementation of ideas" |
| 41. NGO “ Access point” |
| 42. ASSOCIATION OF CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANISATIONS OF LUGANSK REGION |
| 43. grunt media |
| 44. “Olenivka Community” NGO |
| 45. International Charity Partnership for Every Child |
| 46. Association of Jewish Organizations and Communities of Ukraine |
| 47. NGO Ukrainian Paralegal Association |
| 48. NGO "Volyn Instityte of Law" |
| 49. Ukrainian Center for Independent Political Research (UCIPR) |
| 50. “Pishlo-Poihalo” |
| 51. Centre of Gender Culture |
| 52. Centre for research on the Ukrainian liberation movement |
| 53. Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group |
| 54. NGO Union of large families |
| 55. Ukrainian Society of Young Geographers NGO |
| 56. Anti-Coruption Headquarters |
| 57. THE AUGUST VIRLYCH FOUNDATION |
| 58. Territorial administration of the Court Security Service in the Poltava region |
| 59. NGO Union Uniteck |
| 60. Farmatik |
| 61. ICF “Ukrainian Foundation for Public Health” |
| 62. Reanimation Package of Reforms Coalition |
| 63. Rada VPO |
| 64. NGO Dykyj Skhid |
| 65. "Along with all! Close to everyone" |
| 66. ГРОМАДСЬКА ОРГАНІЗАЦІЯ "РОГАНСЬКІ БДЖІЛКИ" |
| 67. Ukrainian Bar Association |
| 68. FREE BECAUSE THEY ARE UNBREAKABLE |
| 69. MEZHA Anti-corruption centre |
| 70. Along with all! Close to everyone!” |
| 71. Charitable foundation "Step into a new life" charitable organization |
| 72. NGO ECO-shell |
| 73. NGO "Centre of Equal Opportunities "PARITY" |
| 74. DIVERGENT WOMEN |
| 75. Socail Capital NGO |
| 76. Громадська організація «Громадський Рух «Віра, Надія, Любов» |
| 77. Public organization "FLOWERS OF VICTORY" |
| 78. Public organization "Volunteer center Zaporizhzhia" |
| 79. Human Rights Centre ZMINA |
| 80. PO "Motiv kolo" |
| 81. Women’s Hab 2.0, |
| 82. Hromadsʹka orhanizatsiya "Fond rozvytku Hrunsʹkoyi hromady" |
| 83. Громадська організація "Спільно ХАБ" |
| 84. DIVERGENT WOMEN |
| 85. Private University Kyiv School of Economics |
| 86. Ukrainian Women's Fund |
| 87. NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION "WOMEN'S ANTICORRUPTION MOVEMENT" |
| 88. ГО «Розвиток Приазовʼя» |
| 89. "Change agency "Timely" |
| 90. Think tank and civil society organisation “Cultural Business Education Hub” |
| 91. Assocciation Energy Efficient Cities of Ukraine |
| 92. CHARITY FOUNDATION Charitable Foundation “SISTERS OF THE HEART” |
| 93. Громадська організація "Донбас СОС" |
| 94. NGO "Amadoka" |
| 95. Ngo Epiprosvita (Epi - awareness) |
| 96. International Renaissance Foundation |
| 97. Рух ЧЕСНО |
| 98. Громадська організація центр «Жіночі перспективи» |
| 99. "United for action" |
| 100. Ray of hope Centre |
| 101. NGO “Prosto Production Media” |
| 102. ГО «Всеукраїнське об’єднання осіб з інвалідністю «Група активної реабілітації» |
| 103. "Family for Persons with Disabilities" |
| 104. Frontier Institute |
| 105. The league of the strong |
| 106. ГО «ON EDGE» |
| 107. NGO "Center for supporting civic initiatives "Chaika" |
| 108. Kremenchuk anti-corruption centre |
| 109. NGO SMARTA |
| 110. Positive women |
| 111. Non-Governmental Organization "Center for Civic and Cultural Initiatives Support "Tamarisk" |
| 112. WHO IF NOT YOU |
| 113. veteran of the Ministry of Internal Affairs |
| 114. Andreev family foundation |
| 115. NGO European Pravda |
| 116. Фізична особа |
| 117. Public Association "Clean Wave" |
| 118. Institute of World Policy |
| 119. NGO Lviv Media Forum |
| 120. Intellectual Discussions Chat |
| 121. Cherkasy human rights center |
| 122. “SOCIAL CAPITAL” |
| 123. PR Army |
| 124. NGO "Information Press Center"/IA «Center of Journalistic Investigations» |
| 125. CO "National Network of Local Philanthropy Development" |
| 126. NGO "Civic Movement "SVIDOMI" |
| 127. NASHA DOPOMOGA |
| 128. Public organiation "RADA OSBB Kyivskoi Oblasti" |
| 129. NASHA DOPOMOGA |
| 130. Пенсіонерка |
| 131. CHARITABLE FUND "WAY TO SALVATION" |
| 132. AllUkranian Association "Automaidan" |
| 133. Ukrainian Union of Young Geographers |
| 134. Charitable foundation Slavic Heart |
| 135. NGO “Promotion of Intercultural Cooperation” |
| 136. Громадська організація "Платформа міжнаціонального діалогу Закарпаття" |
| 137. Civic organization "Dobrochyn Center" |
| 138. Благодійна організація «Благодійний фонд «Збережи світ» |
| 139. NGO "Chernihiv Center for Human Rights" |
| 140. Cedos think tank |
| 141. Рух Нови Сил |
| 142. Громадська ініціатива "Голка" |
| 143. Smidyn council |
| 144. THE UNITY OF PRYVILLIA ACTIVE CITIZENS |
| 145. NGO "Terytoriya uspikhu" |
| 146. Anticrisis support agency |
| 147. NGO "International Institute for Integral Development" |
| 148. Нова Хвиля Затоки |
| 149. Ukrainian Educational Research Association |
| 150. Innovative Regional Development Foundation NGO |
| 151. Conference of Ukrainian Plast Organizations |
| 152. NGO "Communities Army of Ukraine" |
| 153. ZORAX Foundation |
| 154. Democratic Initiatives Incubator |
| 155. Public organization "Community Development and Development" |
| 156. Institute of Econology |
| 157. National League of Transport Business |
| 158. Ukrainian world |
| 159. NGO Coalition of Culture Actors |
| 160. IAC Hromadskyi Prostir |
| 161. Modern women of Lugansk region |
| 162. Local Communities Movement NGO |
| 163. Chervonyi Guber |
| 164. NGO "Improve yourself" |
| 165. NGO "Power of the future" |
| 166. NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION "UKRAINE-EUROPE-WORLD" |
| 167. NGO Women’s Rights Protection League |
| 168. себе |
| 169. The Institute of Innovative Governance |
| 170. Center for Public Diplomacy |
| 171. NGO "Womenactive" |
| 172. Volyn Press Club |
| 173. NGL.media/NGO Lviv Group |
| 174. Charitable Foundation "Culture.UA" |
| 175. NGO "Center for Sociopolitical Studies and Public Initiatives "STATUM" |
| 176. NGO “CRIMEASOS” |
| 177. Ukrainian Capital Markets Association |
| 178. NGO PEOPLE OF CHANGE |
| 179. Громадська організація «Інсайт» |
| 180. Благодійна організація "Благодійний Фонд "Людина і право" |
| 181. NGO "Integrity UA" |
| 182. Franco-Ukrainian Association Volya |
| 183. Садівниче товариство Хімік |
| 184. CO Charitable Foundation for Social Innovation “Country to Ukraine” |
| 185. NGO Rivne Social Partnership Centre |
| 186. ГО Доброчин Інваль |
| 187. Zero Waste Lviv |
| 188. Dragomanov Ukrainian State University |
| 189. Poltava Center Of Journalistic Investigation «MediaProof» |
| 190. Public Union "Association of local self-government" |
| 191. Ukraine |
| 192. Advanter Group think tank |
| 193. Association of Political Science of Ukraine |
| 194. Cultural Business Education Hub | Non-Governmental Organization, Non-Profit Institution, Independent Think Tank in Humanities |
| 195. WFP UN |
| 196. Charitable Organization «Charitable Foundation 'AIC'» |
| 197. Kyiv Security Forum |
| 198. NGO DREAM TOWN |
| 199. Stand with Ukraine foundation |
| 200. Toloka NGO |
| 201. Street Culture |
| 202. Громадська організація Інклюзивні студіі |
| 203. NGO ''LABORATORY OF INNOVATION RESEARCH'' |
| 204. Air Reconnaissance Support Center |
| 205. Приватна особа |
| 206. Dignitas Fund |
| 207. PRIVATE ENTERPRISE "IMEX AGENCY" |
| 208. Громадська Організація Плюс Плюс |
| 209. Center for Strategic Initiatives NGO |
| 210. International charitable foundation “Oleksandr Tereshchenko” |
| 211. CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION "CHARITABLE FUND "LEMBERG VOLONTERY" |
| 212. NGO “Reskill” |
| 213. National Road Quality Association |
| 214. FOP Andreiev O.A. |
| 215. PRACTICO |
| 216. armed forces of Ukraine |
| 217. CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION “CHARITABLE FOUNDATION ‘LETIAGA’” |
| 218. All-Ukrainian Youth Organisation "Democratic Transformation of Ukraine" |
| 219. Higher NGO |
| 220. Centre of United Actions |
| 221. The Council on Competitiveness of Ukraine |
| 222. CF Slavic Heart |
| 223. Center for Communication Research |
| 224. Підприємницька платформа Дій «Ювеліри» |
| 225. YOuth Democratic Association (YODA) |
| 226. ГО «Хелп ту він» |
| 227. Taras Shevchenko Kyiv National University |
| 228. CENTRE FOR LOCAL DEVELOPMENT "PERSPECTIVES" |
| 229. NGO BCD |
| 230. Open Policy Foundation |
| 231. PUBLIC ASSOCIATION "CEHRIN COMMUNITY" |
| 232. Open data association |
| 233. NGO GROUP FOR ACTIVE REHABILITATION |
| 234. PUBLIC ORGANIZATION "PUBLIC INITIATIVE IZYUMSKY TRACT" |
| 235. NGO Power of the Future |
| 236. Fight for right |
| 237. NGO "Center for Civic Initiatives "Ltava" |
| 238. Non-governmental organization “Development agency of Pyriatyn district” |
| 239. Ukrainian Library Association |
| 240. U Generation |
| 241. Ukrainian Center for Social Data |
| 242. ГО Харківське Жіноче Обʼєднання Сфера |
| 243. ГО КИЇВПРАЙД |
| 244. Nordic Ukraine Forum |
| 245. I am Ukrainian. Privat person |
| 246. GO "Art Space" |
| 247. Center for reforms and local development |
| 248. PO Change Communications |
| 249. Public organization People's Defense |
| 250. Фундація Регіональних Ініціатив |
| 251. «CENTER FOR CIVIL INITIATIVES «TIRA» |
| 252. International Medical Rehabilitation Center (IRC) |
| 253. NGO PERFECT ART GROUP |
| 254. NGO CULTURAL ASSEMBLY |
| 255. NGO CENTER FOR CIVIL INITIATIVES «DONBAS |
| 256. Kharkiv Regional NGO "The Liberal Club" |
| 257. Антикорупційний центр МЕЖА |
| 258. LLC CHAINZA |
| 259. Public organization Kharkiv association of blind lawyers |
| 260. MFU |
| 261. NGO “Megasocium” |
| 262. Charitable organization Charitable Foundation Promprylad |
| 263. HR Factory |
| 264. Bohdan Hawrylyshyn Charitable Family Foundation |
| 265. CIVIL MOVEMENT "POCHAINA" |
| 266. CHARITY ORGANIZATION "CHARITY FOUNDATION "SUPPORT KRYZHOPIL" |
| 267. Zero Waste Alliance Ukraine |
| 268. NGO "Open society" |
| 269. NGO “Betwincities” |
| 270. NGO Patronus |
| 271. Olena Leshchykova |
| 272. NGO "Expert-analytical agency «The 2nd of May Group»" |
| 273. NGO „Irshava Rays“ |
| 274. NGO Country of free communities |
| 275. Public organization "youth club Jura" |
| 276. Odesa city public organization "Face to Face" |
| 277. Longevity pensioners - war childrens |
| 278. All-Ukrainian Non-governmental Organization "Association for Community Self-organization Assistance" |
| 279. NGO "Don't Be Indifferent!" |
| 280. Youth space of Drohobych |
| 281. Ukrainian Bildung Network |
| 282. NGO Ukranian Development Foundation |
| 283. Regional Historical Search Association Patriot |
| 284. “Misto Syly” Non-governmental organization |
| 285. CO 'CF 'Space of Biodiversity' |
| 286. NGO "SPECIAL WORKSHOP - ART FOR AUTISM" |
| 287. NGO Ukraine crisis media center |
| 288. NGO “Business association “We Khersonians” |
| 289. UFRA NGO |
| 290. GO " Chostkinskij aktiv gromad" |
| 291. Prykarpattia Industrial Cluster |
| 292. Charitable organisation "International charitable fund savED" |
| 293. NON -GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION "CENTER FOR CIVIL INITIANIVES "TOGETHER" |
| 294. Charity Organisation Charity Fund “Emergo Foundation” |
| 295. CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION CHARITABLE FUNDATION YEVHEN ARTIUKH AND THE BOIKO FAMILY |
| 296. Public Organisation "Hromadskyi Tsentr "Nova Heneratsiia" |
| 297. NGO “Institute of Cybersecurity and Analytics” |
| 298. Ukraine Now |
| 299. NGO Euro-Atlantic Course |
| 300. Civic organization "Ukrainian Students of Freedom" |
| 301. Training and consulting center for access to information |
| 302. CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION CHARITY FUND OF REGIMENT SVIATOSLAVA KHOROBROGO |
