Ukraine's digital ecosystem, Diia, has become a symbol of the state's technological leap, yet even the most ambitious plans for its expansion are constrained by strict legal frameworks. Despite active discussions about the possibility of voting through the app, authorities have officially confirmed: such a scenario will not be implemented in the near future.
Why Diia will not become a polling station
The idea of online voting has been in the air since the platform's launch. However, Valeria Koval, Deputy Minister of Digital Transformation, clearly defined the boundaries of what is possible in an interview with RBC-Ukraine. According to her, holding elections via the app is not planned, and there are two fundamental obstacles to this.
The first is the lack of a legislative base. The state enterprise Diia and the Ministry of Digital Transformation operate strictly within the framework of existing laws. Until regulatory acts are amended, any attempts to integrate the electoral process into the app will remain merely theoretical.
The second, and more fundamental, is the constitutional requirement for the secrecy of the vote. As Koval emphasized, the Constitution of Ukraine guarantees that every citizen votes anonymously. This is possible only physically—in a special booth where no one but the voter knows their choice. The digital environment, by definition, cannot ensure such a degree of confidentiality without the risk of leaks or manipulation.
Public opinion and political context
Even if legal barriers were removed, public trust in online voting remains low. Surveys show that the majority of Ukrainians are skeptical about the idea of digital elections, fearing falsification. At the same time, some citizens believe that after a ceasefire is reached, holding elections will become a necessary step—but only on the condition of maximum transparency and security of the process.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the Central Election Commission have already stated that full-scale elections are possible only after the end of the war. The CEC also noted that at least six months would be required to prepare the electoral process—time that is currently being spent on restoring infrastructure and ensuring the safety of citizens.
What's next?
While Diia continues to expand its functionality—new services for the summer are appearing, simplifying citizens' lives—the topic of elections remains closed. The Ministry of Digital Transformation does not plan to change its approach: the priority remains compliance with the law and the protection of voters' rights. The digitization of the state is moving forward, but not at the expense of compromising constitutional principles.