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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said late on Sunday that Ukraine could carry out its elections scheduled for next year, despite the ongoing war and martial law, if the financial burden was shared by Western allies.
He also said that legislative approval and the possibility of comprehensive voter turnout would be necessary prerequisites.
“I will not hold elections on credit, I will not take money from weapons and give it to elections either,” Zelenskyy said in an interview published by his office.
“But if you give me this financial support, if the parliamentarians realize that we need to do this, then let’s quickly change the legislation and, most importantly, let’s take risks together.”
At present, Ukraine is restricted from holding elections while under martial law, which necessitates renewal every 90 days. The upcoming expiration date is set for November 15, falling after the customary October timeframe for parliamentary elections and preceding the typical March schedule for presidential elections in 2024.
He said it cost 5 billion hryvnia ($135 million) to hold elections in peacetime and was not sure how much wartime elections would cost.
“We need an election in Ukraine next year. I want to see this country have a free and fair election even while it is under assault,” the president said.
Zelenskyy also said those fighting against the Russian invasion have to be included. “They are defending this democracy today, and not to give them this opportunity because of war — that is unfair. I was against the elections only because of this,” he said.
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