THE ELECTORAL SPACE OF POST-WAR UKRAINE: SOCIO-POLITICAL AND TECHNOLOGICAL DETERMINANTS

Abstract

This article is devoted to a comprehensive analysis of the transformations in Ukraine’s electoral field in the context of preparations for the first post-war elections. The author considers the upcoming electoral process not only as an instrument of democratisation, but also as a critically important mechanism for legitimising the strategic course towards national recovery. The paper emphasises that as of May 2025, the majority of citizens (71%) oppose holding elections during martial law, which indicates a high level of social responsibility. Particular attention is paid to identifying and analysing the political motivations of key electoral groups: veterans and military personnel, internally displaced persons (IDPs), residents of de-occupied territories, and Ukrainian refugees abroad. Based on a comparative analysis of the experiences of the United States and Australia, a large-scale entry of veterans into politics is predicted, based on a high level of public trust (over 93%) and a demand for justice. At the same time, barriers to the participation of IDPs and the foreign electoral corps are highlighted, in particular, legal difficulties and an identity crisis. In terms of technology, the risks and opportunities of digitalization have been explored, particularly through the Diya platform. An innovative model of ‘virtual constituencies’ has been proposed to ensure the rights of citizens from temporarily occupied territories. The threats of ‘democratic backsliding,’ the spread of digital populism, and the manipulative influence of AI on voters are analysed separately. The conclusions outline a strategy for organising elections that combines traditional polling stations, mobile teams and modernisation of legislation. The article argues that the success of post-war democratic consolidation depends on the political will to implement inclusive participation mechanisms and restore trust between the state and society.