{"id":1335039,"date":"2025-12-19T21:05:55","date_gmt":"2025-12-19T19:05:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/prm.ua\/money-for-fish-again-why-online-elections-are-impossible-in-ukraine\/"},"modified":"2025-12-20T06:47:02","modified_gmt":"2025-12-20T04:47:02","slug":"money-for-fish-again-why-online-elections-are-impossible-in-ukraine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/prm.ua\/en\/money-for-fish-again-why-online-elections-are-impossible-in-ukraine\/","title":{"rendered":"Votes for Sale? Why Digital Elections Are Impossible in Wartime Ukraine"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><em>Source: Author&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/kostiantyn.korsun\/posts\/pfbid0249xPuNwVuDzgGqKmAbSvSjao9N4aZABvgjCDb1XJzLzGhqKp7jz1zHA5xs9ERFeCl?locale=ru_RU\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Facebook<\/a> page<\/em><br \/>\n<strong>Let\u2019s be clear: in modern Ukraine, online elections are completely impossible in any form \u2014 with Diia or without it \u2014 there is no way. That\u2019s the bottom line.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"71\" data-end=\"104\">And now, a broader perspective.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"106\" data-end=\"360\">No country in the world \u2014 except Estonia (more on that separately) \u2014 has ever successfully organized a fully functioning online election that meets all democratic standards. None. There are many challenges, but here are the most obvious:<\/p>\n<ol data-start=\"362\" data-end=\"764\">\n<li data-start=\"362\" data-end=\"426\">\n<p data-start=\"365\" data-end=\"426\">Ensuring the secrecy of the vote is practically impossible.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"427\" data-end=\"493\">\n<p data-start=\"430\" data-end=\"493\">Ensuring voting is free from coercion is really impossible.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"494\" data-end=\"670\">\n<p data-start=\"497\" data-end=\"670\">Conducting a transparent and verifiable recount of votes is extremely difficult or outright impossible \u2014 for example, if the \u201closing\u201d political force disputes the results.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"671\" data-end=\"764\">\n<p data-start=\"674\" data-end=\"764\">There are enormous risks of unauthorized interference in the electronic election system.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p data-start=\"766\" data-end=\"1004\">Who could forget the most high-profile hacks of recent years, starting with Medko and Prykarpattyaoblenergo, continuing with the hack of Diia in 2022, the Ministry of Justice registries, and culminating in the epic collapse of Kyivstar?<\/p>\n<p>Some of the elements mentioned above can be implemented individually. However, even in Estonia, it is impossible to meet all of these requirements simultaneously.<\/p>\n\t\t<aside class=\"shortcode-also\" data-title=\"Read also\" >\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/prm.ua\/en\/elections-during-war-why-online-voting-is-not-possible\/\">Clicks Instead of Ballots: Why Online Voting Fails in a Time of War<\/a>\n\t<\/aside>\n\n<p>And now, regarding \u201cheavenly Estonia.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>They began preparing for the possibility of online voting back in the mid-1990s. The first e-elections were held in 2005 under the careful supervision of the European Union. To enable this, the country adopted two laws and numerous bylaws regulating virtually every detail. All political parties signed a memorandum on e-elections, along with many other internal documents.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"64\" data-end=\"536\">The first e-elections were relatively successful. Yet over the years that followed, the system faced enormous challenges. Colossal sums have been invested over more than 30 years to enable remote voting. The system underwent repeated tests of security, functionality, capacity, reliability, and other operational factors.\u00a0The world\u2019s top experts and scientists \u2014 from both the IT and cybersecurity fields \u2014 were involved. The number of public and private discussions on the system is simply incalculable.<\/p>\n<p>As a result, it is the only country in the world that holds elections completely online. About half of voters vote online, give or take.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"120\" data-end=\"322\">I would like to emphasize that Estonia\u2019s system does not allow for a \u201cmobile application\u201d on voters\u2019 smartphones, as this would pose extreme risks to the information security of the voters themselves.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"324\" data-end=\"751\">The entire system operates through a special card reader issued by the police (yes, in person, with a physical passport). Voters insert their ID card, which contains a cryptographic chip, into the card reader, connect it to a computer or laptop, and then log in to a dedicated government website. There, they authenticate with their ID and can access a range of electronic government services \u2014 including voting in elections.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"753\" data-end=\"1003\">Of course, Estonia\u2019s system is not perfect. Its strength lies less in the technical solution itself and more in the country\u2019s high political culture and trust in public authorities \u2014 something Ukraine does not yet possess and is far from achieving.<\/p>\n\t\t<aside class=\"shortcode-also\" data-title=\"Read also\" data-right>\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/prm.ua\/en\/if-it-itches-so-much-four-realistic-scenarios-for-elections-during-war\/\">If It Itches, Scratch It? Four Ways Wartime Elections Could Go Wrong<\/a>\n\t<\/aside>\n\n<p>I&#8217;ve written about all of this probably twenty times over the past 5 years. And I&#8217;ve said even more on various airwaves, in interviews, and in commentaries.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"98\" data-end=\"152\">The obsession with online elections won\u2019t die.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"154\" data-end=\"235\">So let\u2019s state it clearly once more: Ukraine is essentially nowhere near ready.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"237\" data-end=\"516\">Technically, the closest thing Ukraine has is the \u201cDiia\u201d infrastructure, which is completely incapable of handling them, not for e-elections, and not even for something as minor as electing a condominium association head. I have written extensively on this issue and will continue to do so.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"518\" data-end=\"870\">Legally, e-elections are completely undefined. Implementing them would require thousands, if not tens of thousands, of pages of laws, provisions, regulations, technical requirements, decrees, instructions, technology selection criteria, and countless other details. Nobody has even started this work, simply because there is no one in power capable.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"872\" data-end=\"1045\">Organizationally, the situation is equally dire. A dedicated institution would be needed to develop the concept and implement e-elections, and no such organization exists.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1047\" data-end=\"1141\">Financially, the picture is the same: zero. All the above would require substantial funding.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1143\" data-end=\"1342\">And finally, the Constitution of Ukraine provides no possibility for remote voting \u2014 neither by mail nor online. Amending the Constitution during martial law is explicitly prohibited (Article 157).<\/p>\n\t\t<aside class=\"shortcode-also\" data-title=\"Read also\" >\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/prm.ua\/en\/work-has-begun-in-ukraine-on-a-draft-law-on-elections-during-martial-law-details\/\">Work has begun in Ukraine on a draft law on elections during martial law: details<\/a>\n\t<\/aside>\n\n<p data-start=\"112\" data-end=\"489\">In other words, if you think rationally and logically, there\u2019s no point in even bringing up this topic. But when has common sense ever prevailed in Ukraine\u2019s leadership in recent years? Our \u201cclever quarterbacks\u201d can ram a stick through the Constitution, logic, and even the laws of physics \u2014 and push a crooked \u201cpermission for e-elections in the Diaspora\u201d through parliament.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"491\" data-end=\"661\">If that happens, it will only mean one thing: the government will falsify the elections. I would even say 1000% \u2014 though, of course, percentages cannot exceed 100.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"663\" data-end=\"794\">Our Western partners will not recognize such a farce either, and if it is forced through, they will refuse to accept the results.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"796\" data-end=\"920\">Therefore, my prediction is clear: Ukraine will have no online elections for at least ten years, and probably much longer.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"922\" data-end=\"1200\">First, we would need someone truly competent in power. Even in that optimistic scenario \u2014 even with Estonia\u2019s experience, the world\u2019s most advanced systems, and inspired 24\/7 work \u2014 test systems might realistically be launched only in 15\u201320 years. But that\u2019s me being hopeful.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1202\" data-end=\"1309\">Perhaps in 15\u201320 years, some countries like Finland or Denmark will manage it. Ukraine? Not anytime soon.<\/p>\n<p>If they want to at all \u2013 because for now, it seems like they&#8217;re fine with it.<\/p>\n<p>Without these e-elections of yours.<\/p>\n<p>Also, follow <strong>\u201cPryamyi\u201d<\/strong> on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/pryamiy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Facebook<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/prm_ua\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Twitter<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/t.me\/+rtV4dxYu2_cyNjVi\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Telegram<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/pryamiy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 10pt;\"><em>\u2022 Materials published in the \u201cOPINIONS\u201d section reflect the opinion of the author of the publication, who bears full responsibility for the accuracy of the information.<\/em><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 10pt;\"><em>\u2022 The editorial staff of prm.ua may not share the opinions expressed in the author&#8217;s material.<\/em><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 10pt;\"><em>\u2022 The owner of the webpage in the \u201cOPINIONS\u201d section is the author of the publication.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Source: Author&#8217;s Facebook page Let\u2019s be clear: in modern Ukraine, online elections are completely impossible in any form \u2014 with Diia or without it \u2014 there is no way. That\u2019s the bottom line. And now, a broader perspective. No country in the world \u2014 except Estonia (more on that separately) \u2014 has ever successfully organized [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":57,"featured_media":1334981,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ep_exclude_from_search":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[76871,76872,76893],"class_list":["post-1335039","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news-2","category-news-feed","category-thoughts"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/prm.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1335039","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/prm.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/prm.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/prm.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/57"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/prm.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1335039"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/prm.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1335039\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1335077,"href":"https:\/\/prm.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1335039\/revisions\/1335077"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/prm.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1334981"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/prm.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1335039"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/prm.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1335039"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}