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Ukraine's election chief warns against a rushed post-war vote
Ukraine's election chief cites destroyed infrastructure, 5.8 million refugees, and 800,000 servicemen as major obstacles requiring a ceasefire before credible elections can occur.
On Jan 19, Oleh Didenko said a ceasefire and safe conditions are prerequisites for any vote in Ukraine, amid enormous infrastructure challenges and displacement.
Bringing the voter registry up to date will take significant time and preparations, with about 5.8 million Ukrainian refugees overseas complicating participation and no final assessment of numbers abroad.
Almost 2,000 of over 30,000 Ukrainian polling stations have been damaged, Didenko said, 'We need to locate the voters and create voting infrastructure'.
Facing pressure from abroad, Ukraine's election chief says elections are banned under martial law, and only about 57% of Ukrainians back voting before a ceasefire.
Russia has rejected a ceasefire, complicating safe voting prospects, while President Vladimir Putin insists Ukrainians in Russia vote, a demand Zelenskiy rejects along with voting in occupied territories.
Ukraine will face enormous challenges in organizing the first elections from Russia's 2022 invasion, the infrastructure being destroyed and millions of people displaced by the war, the president of the country's electoral commission said.