The chairman of the Central Election Commission of Ukraine Oleg Didenko explained who can participate in the presidential and parliamentary elections. According to him, citizens who have traveled abroad and have received temporary protection status in other countries have no right to nominate their candidates.
Why can't Arestovich be able to run?
In an interview for Ukrainian Pravda, Didenko noted that according to the Constitution of Ukraine and the Election Code, candidates should reside in the country for the last 5 or 10 years, depending on the type of elections.
"As of now, persons who have gone abroad and have received temporary protection there can not run. This applies to both the presidential and parliamentary elections," he said.
Thus, Alexei Arestovich, who went abroad during the war, will not be able to participate in the election campaign.
Are there exceptions?
Didenko explained that there are exceptions for those who left Ukraine for study, treatment or business trip. If the stay abroad does not exceed 180 days a year or 90 days in a row, then it is not considered to be an interruption of residence in Ukraine.
What about the forbidden parties?
Separately, the CEC chairman commented on the situation with politicians who were members of the prohibited parties or under the sanctions of the National Security and Defense Council.
- Parties whose activities are prohibited by court decisions cannot nominate candidates.
- Persons under the sanctions of the NSDC formally do not have a direct ban on participation in elections.
When can the elections take place?
According to The Economist, referring to the sources in the Ukrainian government, the election of the President of Ukraine may take place in July 2025.
If this happens, many political figures that are currently abroad will be outside the electoral process.
