Head of Odesa regional organization of the CVU predicts next year's elections

Elections in Ukraine in 2025 are 99% likely and preparations have already begun, but a number of conditions must be met to hold them.

This opinion was expressed by the head of the Odesa regional organization of the Committee of Voters of Ukraine, Anatoliy Boyko, in an interview with the USI publication.

According to him, his confidence in the possibility of holding elections next year is reinforced by the activation of the voter register, in particular, the Central Election Commission has resumed the work of the register. In addition, political parties, according to the Odesa CVU, have been conducting preparatory processes for a year.

"In addition, we can observe that high-ranking politicians have become more active in their travels, for example, Yulia Tymoshenko recently visited Odesa, and I am sure that the visit was not dictated by banal curiosity. In my opinion, this is a sign that we are on the verge of an election campaign," Anatoliy Boyko said.

However, the head of the Odesa Regional CEC does not undertake to predict when the elections will be held.

"I am 99% sure that the elections will take place next year, but the question is "when". I do not rule out that they may even be held in May, but this is the least likely, because in this case the country will have to start the election process in March, which means that in February it will have to end the hostilities to create practical conditions for the election process (we are talking about the end of martial law in the country, during which elections are not possible - Intent). In our situation, this is a scenario close to a fantasy. More realistic is either in the summer or in the fall," he said.

Anatoliy Boyko believes that it will be both presidential and parliamentary elections.

"This is logical given that the powers of both the president and the parliament have formally expired, so we know that the legitimacy of the Constitution has not been lost, but this is not the point, but in fact the deadlines have expired and it is logical to hold elections. In addition, it is the most acceptable political option for the current president," Anatoliy Boyko said.

He also predicted changes in the legislation regarding the elections to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.

"It is impossible to hold elections under the current Electoral Code, because it provides for elections on open regional party lists, and in the conditions of partial occupation and a large number of citizens who have left the country, this is impossible. Therefore, it is likely that we will return to closed party lists, meaning that we will simply vote for party candidates. Technically, I see nothing impossible with the opening of polling stations in Ukraine and abroad if the fighting stops. Moreover, a large number of our fellow citizens abroad will solve the issue of commission members and observers," said the head of the Odesa regional CEC.

According to Anatoliy Boyko, the elections will be very complicated and with a lot of dirt, but we should not expect high quality results.

"With the beginning of the full-scale invasion, a political default has actually occurred. There are few political players left, and even fewer of them have a real opportunity to move forward. I do not rule out that the current parliamentary players will get into the parliament, but they will not have large factions. The question of who will be president and take 80% of the parliament is a void. There are many chances that this void will be filled quickly, but unfortunately, there are few chances that it will be filled effectively. Miracles do not happen in politics. A politician has to mature," Anatoliy Boyko emphasized.

In his opinion, the government elected next year will be a transitional period for Ukrainians. However, Anatoliy Boyko is confident that elections are necessary, but those elected next year may not serve their full term.