The statements of the People's Deputy Fyodor Venislavsky on the possibility of elections in Ukraine after the end of martial law raised many questions. On the air of Radio NV, the deputy said that the election in the current environment is unlikely and can only happen after eliminating threats to national security.
According to Fyodor Venislavsky , the martial law in Ukraine can only be abolished after threats to security, territorial integrity and state sovereignty have been eliminated. At the moment, the situation remains unstable, as Russia continues to exert pressure in all directions of the front, in particular to the south, east and Donbas.
The People's Deputy noted that it is difficult to make forecasts for the completion of martial law due to numerous factors, including political statements by world leaders and specific actions of the US administration against Russia. Therefore, according to Venislavsky, by the end of February 2024 it is necessary to refrain from hasty conclusions.
One of the key points in the statement of the deputy was the issue of elections during the war, in particular in the case of freezing of the front. Venislavsky stressed that even in the case of some stabilization on the front, holding elections in the conditions of occupation of a large part of the territory of Ukraine and the mass residence of citizens abroad is almost impossible.
In addition to physical obstacles, such as the organization of voting in temporary camps abroad, according to the deputy, it will also call into question the legitimacy of the authorities because of violations of equal opportunities for all citizens to participate in the electoral process.
In particular, Venislavsky gave an example of organizing elections abroad, when several thousand citizens of Ukraine collided with chaos during voting. In such circumstances, it was difficult to even meet the basic needs of voters - water and food.
From the point of view of international law, the deputy added, elections can only be held in the territory of diplomatic missions or consular institutions, which are a sovereign territory of Ukraine.
As a result, the deputy concluded that due to a number of factors, such as the occupation of territories, the stay of citizens abroad and the lack of security guarantees and equal opportunities for agitation, the elections in Ukraine are currently difficult and can probably lead to doubts about the legitimacy of the authorities.
According to Venislavsky, elections are possible only after the restoration of full safety throughout Ukraine and ensuring equal opportunities for all citizens to participate in the democratic process.
