Ukraine's Electoral Challenges: Can Zelenskiy Hold Elections During the Russian War?

According to recent polling data, President Zelenskiy would have strong prospects for reelection if a vote were held.

Kyiv:

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has expressed willingness to conduct elections - a crucial requirement from both Moscow and now Washington - provided the United States and European allies can guarantee the security of the electoral process.

Zelenskiy suggested a potential timeframe of two to three months. However, numerous challenges would need to be addressed:

SECURITY CHALLENGES FOR ELECTIONS

Ukraine has not held elections since 2019 and has been under martial law since Russia's full-scale invasion began in February 2022. Current martial law provisions prohibit elections.

Russia has questioned Zelenskiy's legitimacy, claiming his term expired in May 2024, thus invalidating his authority to negotiate peace agreements. Trump recently criticized the absence of elections in Ukraine during a Politico interview.

Active combat extends across more than 1,200 kilometers in Ukraine's eastern, southern, and northern regions. Russian drones and missiles regularly target Ukrainian population centers far from frontline areas. The power infrastructure has been severely compromised by Russian attacks, causing widespread electricity disruptions.

Polling indicates most Ukrainians oppose wartime elections, according to Anton Hrushetskyi, executive director of the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology.

Political analyst Volodymyr Fesenko emphasizes that at minimum, an air ceasefire would be essential before considering elections. Ukraine would need to develop a comprehensive legislative framework for elections, including laws governing timing, procedures, and regulations - a process requiring approximately six months.

Ukrainian authorities would also need safeguards against potential Russian interference, analysts warned.

VOTER ACCESS CHALLENGES

Millions of Ukrainian citizens face significant voting obstacles, according to experts and officials.

Statistics show over 4.3 million Ukrainians hold temporary protection status across the European Union as of late 2025. To facilitate their participation, Ukraine would need to establish hundreds of polling stations throughout Europe.

More than four million Ukrainians are registered as internally displaced. The task of registering all displaced citizens would require substantial time and resources.

Approximately one million individuals serve in Ukraine's defense forces. Ensuring free and fair voting on the frontlines presents logistical challenges that may necessitate legislative adjustments.

Ukrainian officials estimate that approximately 4.5 million adult Ukrainians remain in Russian-occupied territories as of 2024. Russia currently controls around 19% of Ukrainian territory.

The State Register of Voters requires comprehensive updates to voter records and polling station information.

ZELENSKIY'S ELECTORAL PROSPECTS

Polls conducted by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology and other research organizations indicate Zelenskiy would likely win reelection. His popularity reached approximately 90 percent in the war's early phase but has since decreased to mid-50s percentages.

Political analysts note that Zelenskiy's approval ratings suffered from a major energy sector corruption scandal, though he remains the leading candidate among traditional politicians.

Polling shows that Valeriy Zaluzhnyi, currently Ukraine's ambassador to Britain and former commander-in-chief of the armed forces, represents the only significant electoral challenge to Zelenskiy. Thus far, Zaluzhnyi has not expressed political ambitions, maintaining that defending the country should take priority during wartime.