The group of 100 NGOs publicly appealed for the postponement of elections in Ukraine, arguing that presidential elections and full-scale war are incompatible. According to Euromaidan Press, the organizations claim that holding elections amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war is dangerous. Doing so would lead to "the loss of legitimacy of both the process and the elected bodies" and may "significantly destabilize the state as a whole."
According to the NGOs, "elections alone do not constitute democracy." The mere act of voting, they argued, "does not prove a regime is truly democratic." They also noted that elections would only be free if candidates could engage in "a competitive political struggle" during the campaign period.
"Elections are not about one day of voting, but rather a loud debate between different parties about the best program for state development. Such a dialogue can be extremely heated and unbearably open, but it is the only way to ensure a truly democratic process."
Kyiv is set to hold national elections in March 2024, but still remains under martial law following Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's February 2022 declaration. While he said Ukraine is ready to hold elections during a conference in early September, Zelensky remarked that "there are several problems that need to be solved." (Related: George Soros helped Zelensky become president of Ukraine through massive propaganda campaign; now he backs puppet regime he installed.)
According to Article 83 of the Ukrainian Constitution, "In the event of the expiration of the term of office of Ukraine's [unicameral parliament] Verkhovna Rada during martial law or a state of emergency, its powers shall be extended until the first meeting of the first session of [the parliament] elected after the lifting of martial law or a state of emergency." Given this, the group of more than 100 NGOs urged Kyiv to postpone elections until the war ends.
Postponement of elections an excuse to keep Zelensky in power
The calls from the NGOs came as a response to Ukraine's partners calling for elections in the country, including U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC). "I want free and fair elections to occur in the country, even under attack," he said. "I believe it's time for Ukraine to take the next step in its democratic development, particularly to hold elections in 2024."
Given the NGOs' calls to postpone elections in Ukraine until the "end of the war," it definitely appears that the move is just an excuse to keep Zelensky in power. He exercised this power at the height of the Russia-Ukraine war, banning 11 political parties in the country that were allegedly linked to Russia. The move to ban the 11 parties contradicts the "competitive political struggle" the NGOs claim to be necessary for a democracy.
In March 2022, Zelensky announced the ban on the political parties in a video posted on Telegram. "Any activity of politicians aimed at splitting or collaborating will not succeed," he said. The prohibited political parties included the Opposition Platform – For Life, Shariy Party, Nashi, Opposition Bloc, Left Opposition, Union of Left Forces, Derzhava (State) Party, Progressive Socialist Party of Ukraine, Socialist Party of Ukraine, Socialists Party and Volodymyr Saldo Bloc.
Aside from the suspension of the 11 parties, Zelensky also took over the media. A March 20, 2022 report by Reuters said the Ukrainian leader signed a decree combining all national TV channels into one platform. According to Zelensky's office, the decree highlights the importance of a "unified information policy" under martial law.
Head over to UkraineWitness.com for more stories about Ukraine's 2024 elections.
Watch vlogger and former Navy SEAL Patrick Lancaster discussing the elections in the Donetsk region, which is under Russia, in the video below.
This video is from the High Hopes channel on Brighteon.com.
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