Most residents of Kyiv believe that elections for the mayor and the Kyiv City Council should take place only after the war ends and martial law is lifted. These are the findings of a study conducted by the Think Ukraine analytical center.
Democracy matters — but not at any cost and not under any circumstances.
Survey Results*
- 64.3% believe elections should be held only after the end of the war and the lifting of martial law.
- 26.5% support holding elections within the legally established timeframe — that is, at the end of October 2025, even if the war is still ongoing.
- 9.2% remain undecided.
*Respondents were allowed to select multiple answers.
What This Means
The majority of Kyiv residents do not view elections held under martial law as fully legitimate. Limited population mobility, the absence of part of the electorate (evacuated citizens, internally displaced persons, or those living abroad), and media restrictions make the voting process less representative.
At the same time, roughly a quarter of Kyiv residents are ready for elections now. However, in such a scenario, voter turnout could be low and uneven, giving a relatively small segment of society disproportionate influence.
What Should Be Taken Into Account
Any decision regarding the holding or postponement of elections must be accompanied by transparent and public justification. If elections are delayed, the public should clearly understand the criteria under which they will eventually be held. Otherwise, uncertainty may become fertile ground for manipulation.
