The CEC approved a new procedure for transmitting information about the voting process: what will change after the resumption of elections

The Central Election Commission has approved a new procedure for the prompt transmission of information on the course of voting in the national elections. The document defines clear deadlines for submitting data on voter turnout, the procedure for reporting emergencies, and the personal responsibility of the heads of election commissions.

Although the conduct of elections during martial law is not provided for by law, the adopted procedure actually creates a technical basis for organizing the election process after its completion.

Why did the CEC adopt the new procedure

The new document does not change the voting or vote counting procedure. Its main task is to unify the exchange of information between election commissions of all levels and ensure the rapid informing of the Central Election Commission about the course of voting.

The CEC emphasizes that the prompt data will be used to inform the public about voter turnout and monitor the situation at polling stations. At the same time, this information will not affect the establishment of official election results, which will be determined only after the completion of vote counting in accordance with the Electoral Code of Ukraine.

The document also provides for the active use of electronic communication channels and the automated information and analytical system of the CEC, which should reduce the time for transmitting information and minimize technical errors.

When election commissions will transmit information

The procedure establishes a single schedule for transmitting data during voting day.

Precinct election commissions must notify district commissions:

by 08:00 — about the holding of a preparatory meeting and the number of voters included in the lists;

by 12:30 — about the number of voters who received ballots as of 12:00;

by 16:30 — about turnout as of 16:00;

by 20:30 — final data after the end of voting, in particular the number of voters on the lists and those who received ballots.

In addition, the commissions are required to immediately report any emergency situations that may affect the conduct of the vote.

What emergency situations must be reported

The new procedure provides for the mandatory prompt notification of the CEC about:

impossibility to hold a preparatory meeting;
inability to open a polling station;
fires;
accidents;
natural disasters;
other circumstances that may prevent the conduct of the vote.

Thus, the Central Election Commission will receive information about problem situations practically in real time.

How will foreign polling stations work

A separate mechanism for transmitting information is provided for polling stations abroad.

Data will be sent to the Central Election Commission through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.

After the end of the vote, foreign polling station election commissions must promptly report:

the number of voters included in the lists;
the number of citizens who received ballots.

In the event of emergencies, such information will also be transmitted to the CEC without delay.

What are the responsibilities of district election commissions

District election commissions will summarize information from all polling stations in their district and transmit it to the Central Election Commission via an automated system.

A separate schedule has been established for them:

until 09:00 – information on the number of voters on the lists;

until 13:00 – turnout data as of 12:00;
until 17:00 – turnout information as of 16:00;
until 21:00 – final indicators after the end of voting.

District commissions must also immediately transmit to the CEC information on all emergency events received from precinct commissions.

Who will be responsible

The CEC has separately determined personal responsibility for transmitting information.

The head of the district election commission will be responsible for the timeliness, completeness and reliability of the data, and in his absence – the deputy.

The same principle will apply to foreign precinct election commissions.

What the new order means

The document itself does not mean that elections will be held in the near future and does not change the electoral legislation. Its purpose is to prepare technical mechanisms for a quick and transparent exchange of information between election commissions after the resumption of the electoral process.

After the abolition of martial law and the appointment of national elections, the Central Election Commission will be able to receive operational data on voter turnout and the course of voting in almost real time, which will allow it to respond faster to emergencies and inform the public in a timely manner.