Reasons for the CEC’s resolution to restore the State Register of Voters: MP Alina Zahoruyko’s commentary
The topic of restoring the functioning of the State Register of Voters in Ukraine arouses wide interest in society, especially in the conditions of prolonged martial law. After all, the correct maintenance of the electoral register and its updating is an important component not only for the organization of the electoral process, but also for ensuring the functioning of democratic institutions in wartime. This question arose against the background of numerous changes that have taken place in the country, such as administrative and territorial reforms, mass displacement of the population and destruction of infrastructure. The Central Election Commission adopted a decision aimed at ensuring the updating of data on polling stations. However, despite such steps, which cause talk of possible elections, this is more of a technical solution to maintain the functioning of the system than a signal of preparations for elections.
The Central Election Commission published Decision No. 54 dated September 20, 2024 “On the restoration of the functioning of the automated information and communication system “State Register of Voters” in the part of the registration of polling stations that exist on a permanent basis.” As stated in the decision, the CEC is the administrator of the State Register of Voters and ensures its management and functioning in accordance with the legislation. One of the main tasks of the Register is the registration of polling stations that exist on a permanent basis.
In connection with the introduction of martial law in Ukraine, in order to protect the integrity of the Registry database, to ensure the protection of personal data stored in the Registry database in accordance with the Law, as well as to protect against unauthorized access, illegal use, copying, distortion or destruction data, the CEC, by Resolution No. 61 of February 24, 2022, temporarily stopped the operation of the automated information and communication system “State Register of Voters” for the duration of martial law. This decision was aimed at ensuring cyber protection of the system and data protection against possible threats in wartime conditions.
At the same time, the decision to resume operation of the register caused a new wave of rumors about the possible start of the election campaign. However, the deputy head of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on the Organization of State Power and a member of the “Servant of the People” faction, Alina Zahoruyko commented this decision and explained that it has other reasons. She explained in detail what the adoption of the resolution is all about, and why this step is necessary.
“I see that one of the reasons (but not the only one) for the new wave of rumors about the start of the election campaign was the announcement by the Central Election Commission about the resumption of the operation of the DRV (attention!) in terms of the registration of polling stations, which exist on a permanent basis. Involuntarily, I remember the second President with his: “That’s already happened!” Almost a year ago, when the CEC resumed the periodic updating of information in the Register, they also began to talk about preparations for the elections. Let me remind you that this Resolution was adopted on December 22, 2023. I will try to explain what is happening now.
The State Register of Voters contains information about voters, which is obvious. It also contains information about all polling stations to which these voters belong. It is obvious that the precincts are located in some community, on some street and have an address. All this is also reflected in the Register.
Why is the adopted Resolution necessary? Because such a requirement of the legislation is to periodically update the data. At the same time, this is a technical solution aimed at updating the voter register. We have a significant number of community and street renamings. These changes must be reflected in the Register. We have more than a third of voters who have changed their voting address, and this will directly affect the number of polling stations in communities.
We have almost 87,000 new residential buildings that have been assigned addresses, but they have not been assigned to any electoral district. And the residents of these houses have to vote somewhere in the future. And imagine, we have almost 8 thousand destroyed or damaged polling stations! We no longer have cities of regional/district significance and urban-type settlements, and this also needs to be updated. In general, it is necessary to update information on almost half of the polling stations in Ukraine.
On the other hand, the CEC must provide certain information at the request of other state bodies for purposes defined by law. It is obvious that such information should be relevant. Therefore, it is necessary to do it now, and not wait for the moment when martial law ends.
Finally, I will reveal a secret… This is not the last such Resolution, because processes in the state and war are not static. Therefore, I urge you not to make hasty conclusions, to familiarize yourself more closely with the system of operation of the DRV, the amount of information contained in it, and the terms of its restoration. Take such messages precisely as the everyday work of a specialized body, and not as news with an implication.” – said Alina Zahoruyko.
