Zelensky to Ask Voters 5 Questions During Elections, But Has Not Voiced Them

The Ukrainian president promised to voice them later.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the country's citizens ahead of local elections scheduled for October 25. The relevant video appeared on the YouTube channel of the Office of the President.

In his address, Zelensky called on Ukrainian voters to answer "five important questions" that he did not voice. At the end of the video, the Ukrainian president mentioned them again, but promised to voice them later.

Volodymyr Zelensky
President of Ukraine

On October 25, at a polling station, I will ask you 5 important questions about what we discuss on the street, in the kitchen and on the internet, and what we argue about with friends, parents or taxi drivers. About things we have never been asked before. 5 important questions to learn your opinion.

The questions Zelensky spoke about could be a "public opinion poll". The possibility of holding such a poll was discussed by deputies just a month ago, and a corresponding bill was submitted to the Verkhovna Rada for consideration.

Such a poll, experts believe, could be a "pseudo-referendum", since the authorities have the opportunity to use such a mechanism without adopting a corresponding law. Nevertheless, several questions remain unanswered that arise from this poll:

• it is currently unknown which questions will be included in the questionnaire
• who will finance the poll
• whether there is a legal basis for conducting the poll
• who will be responsible for counting the votes in the poll

In mid-June, the Verkhovna Rada passed the presidential law on a referendum in the first reading. It provides for the possibility of a nationwide vote on amendments to sections I, III, and XIII of the Constitution of Ukraine, decisions on matters of national importance, changes to the territory of Ukraine, and the repeal of Ukrainian laws or individual provisions thereof.