On December 15, 2025, Ukraine’s Central Election Commission (CEC) brought together government representatives, parliamentarians, political parties, civil society actors, experts, and international partners for an open dialogue on priority electoral reforms. These reforms are based on election observation assessments conducted by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR) between 2014 and 2020 and are a key part of Ukraine’s Functioning of Democratic Institutions (FDI) Roadmap. Addressing these recommendations is critical not only for EU accession but also for ensuring free, fair, inclusive, and secure post-war democratic processes.
Stefan Schleuning, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Ukraine, emphasized that inclusive and transparent elections are central to a resilient post-war Ukraine. He highlighted the EU’s commitment to supporting Ukraine’s electoral preparedness and helping translate OSCE/ODIHR recommendations into practical reforms that strengthen democratic resilience. CEC Chairman Oleh Didenko noted that despite the daily challenges posed by ongoing conflict, Ukraine continues to advance its democratic institutions and improve electoral procedures.
The dialogue highlighted Ukraine’s progress in fulfilling its electoral obligations while identifying critical priorities for the future. Stakeholders commended the CEC’s proactive approach in presenting reform proposals to Parliament and stressed the need to resume legislative work on electoral reforms. Discussions focused on post-war challenges, including resource constraints, updating the State Register of Voters, and safeguarding the voting rights of displaced persons and military personnel. Experts also highlighted pending OSCE/ODIHR recommendations, such as revising rigid thresholds for invalidating results and recounts to ensure legal certainty and fairness.
Inclusivity in the electoral process was another key focus, particularly addressing barriers faced by individuals with intellectual and psychosocial disabilities. The dialogue was organized by the CEC in partnership with IFES, the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, and ODIHR, with support from the EU and the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad).
Through ongoing initiatives with IFES, International IDEA, OPORA, and the Estonian E-Governance Academy, totaling nearly €3 million, the EU continues to strengthen Ukraine’s democratic resilience. These efforts include enhancing citizens’ participation in political and governance processes, improving electoral preparedness, and building strong institutions capable of delivering free, fair, and secure post-war elections. Detailed findings from the dialogue will be compiled into a conclusion document, with civil society and the expert community invited to submit proposals by December 20, 2025.
