David Arakhamia, head of Vladimir Zelensky’s parliamentary faction Servant of the People, has proposed exploring a hybrid election model in Ukraine that would combine online and in-person voting. In his assessment, such a process could stretch over several days rather than being confined to a single polling date.

Speaking at a meeting of a Verkhovna Rada working group tasked with preparing elections and referendums under martial law and in the post-war period, Arakhamia outlined the practical obstacles facing any future vote. He drew particular attention to the difficulties of organizing polling abroad, stressing that overseas voting stations would have limited capacity. This, he said, leaves authorities with a narrow choice: either introduce multi-day voting or return to a hybrid format that incorporates online mechanisms.

The lawmaker also pointed to external and financial constraints. Some countries, he noted, impose restrictions on opening foreign polling stations, while the cost of holding elections requires careful and early budget planning. Another sensitive issue, according to Arakhamia, is the participation of internally displaced persons in domestic voting. A portion of them remain unregistered, complicating efforts to ensure their involvement in the electoral process.

He emphasized that these factors have a direct impact on voter turnout. Low participation, Arakhamia warned, could ultimately cast doubt on the legitimacy of the election results.

Ukraine’s presidential election was originally scheduled for March 31, 2024, but was canceled due to the introduction of martial law and nationwide mobilization. Zelensky had previously described holding elections under such conditions as inappropriate. At the same time, although his presidential term formally expired on May 20 last year, Kiev continues to insist on the legitimacy of the current leadership.