[tlozo]

Article 83 of the Ukrainian Constitution states that if the term of the Verkhovna Rada expires under martial law, it shall automatically be extended until a new Rada is seated following the end of martial law. Article 19 of Ukraine’s martial law legislation specifically forbids conducting national elections. Thus, for Ukraine to conduct elections while under martial law would be a violation of legal norms that predate Zelensky and the full-scale Russian invasion.

https://foreignpolicy.com/2023/07/11/ukraine-democracy-wartime-elections-russia-zelensky/

https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/389-19#Text

[Right_Wing_Madman]

Article 83 of the Ukrainian Constitution states that if the term of the Verkhovna Rada expires under martial law, it shall automatically be extended until a new Rada is seated following the end of martial law.

Correct, but Article 83 dictates legislative authority and when the legislature is in session. It does not apply to Ukraine's executive branch, or president. The election of Ukraine's president and the president's authorities are covered in Articles 102-112, and that part of extending a president's power through martial law is nowhere to be seen in Ukraine's constitution. It was deliberately left out of Ukraine's constitution to prevent a president from declaring martial law in order to cancel elections.

Here is Article 83 in full:

Article 83

Regular sessions of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine commence on the first Tuesday of February and on the first Tuesday of September each year.

Special sessions of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, with the stipulation of their agenda, are convoked by the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, on the demand of no fewer National Deputies of Ukraine than one-third of the constitutional composition of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, or on the demand of the President of Ukraine.

In the event of the introduction of martial law or of a state of emergency in Ukraine, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine assembles within a period of two days without convocation.

In the event that the term of authority of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine expires while martial law or a state of emergency is in effect, its authority is extended until the day of the first meeting of the first session of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine , elected after the cancellation of martial law or of the state of emergency.