Archive · 19 Aug 2026
Ukraine Faces Obstacles to Holding Elections During Wartime
Ukraine is discussing whether it can hold elections while fighting Russia.
The country has been under martial law since the invasion began in 2022, and this currently prevents elections.
Voting would be difficult because missiles and drones can reach cities and front-line areas.
Millions of Ukrainians are living abroad or have moved to different parts of the country.
Soldiers and people living in Russian-occupied areas would also need safe and legal ways to vote.
One analyst said an air ceasefire and a new election law would be important first steps.
President Zelenskiy says he is willing to hold elections if allies can help protect them.
Polls show Zelenskiy could be a strong candidate, but several other politicians could challenge him.
Ukraine has been under martial law since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022, and martial law bans elections.
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy says he could hold elections if the United States and European allies ensure voting security.
An air ceasefire and a new election law could be needed, with one analyst estimating about six months for preparation.
More than 4.4 million Ukrainians live under temporary protection in the European Union, while nearly 4 million are internally displaced.
Polls identify Zelenskiy, Valeriy Zaluzhnyi, Kyrylo Budanov and Mykhailo Fedorov as leading potential contenders.
- Who
- Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, U.S. President Donald Trump, Ukrainian voters, political analysts and potential candidates including Valeriy Zaluzhnyi, Kyrylo Budanov and Mykhailo Fedorov.
- What
- Whether Ukraine can organize free and secure elections while at war with Russia.
- When
- Ukraine last held elections in 2019; martial law has been in effect since February 2022. Volodymyr Fesenko estimated that election preparations could take about six months.
- Where
- Across Ukraine, including front-line areas, Russian-occupied territory and polling stations for Ukrainians living in the European Union.
- Why
- Some officials and political figures are demanding elections, while security, legal, voter-registration and access problems remain.
Arguments for holding elections
Arguments against holding elections now
Democratic mandate
Arguments for holding elections
U.S. President Donald Trump has argued that Ukraine should hold elections, and former Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has demanded wartime voting.
Arguments against holding elections now
Martial law legally prevents elections, and polls have consistently shown that most Ukrainians oppose holding them during the war.
Security conditions
Arguments for holding elections
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy says he is prepared to hold elections if the United States and European allies can ensure the vote’s security.
Arguments against holding elections now
Analyst Volodymyr Fesenko said at least an air ceasefire would be vital, while Russian drones and missiles continue to threaten cities and front-line areas.
Voter access
Arguments for holding elections
Elections could allow Ukrainians at home, abroad and in the defence forces to participate if new arrangements were created.
Arguments against holding elections now
Registering millions of displaced people and citizens abroad, organizing polling stations across Europe and enabling soldiers and residents of occupied areas to vote would be difficult and costly.
- Martial law
- Ukraine has been under martial law since February 2022, and martial law bans elections.
- Front line
- Fighting extends along more than 1,200 kilometers in eastern, southern and northern Ukraine.
- Ukrainians in the European Union
- More than 4.4 million Ukrainians had temporary protection status in the European Union as of the end of June.
- Internally displaced people
- Just under 4 million Ukrainians are internally displaced within the country.
- Defence forces
- About 1 million people serve in Ukraine’s defence forces.
- Occupied territory
- Russia controls about 19% of Ukrainian territory, where Ukraine says Russian-organized elections would be illegal.
- Potential preparation time
- Political analyst Volodymyr Fesenko estimated that creating the necessary election framework could take about six months.