• Dmytro Razumkov, former head of Zelensky’s campaign and ex-parliament speaker, claimed wartime elections in Ukraine would be rigged, sarcastically predicting Zelensky could secure “102% of the vote” through coercion (e.g., linking voting to military conscription).
• Zelensky has postponed elections indefinitely, citing martial law (extended to August 2025), which critics argue consolidates his power unlawfully after his five-year term expired.
• Razumkov mocked proposals for remote elections via Ukraine’s e-government system (Dia), alleging it would enable fraud and even joked about Belarus’ Lukashenko “winning” a Ukrainian vote.
• Former President Petro Poroshenko accused Zelensky of usurping power, while Russia and the U.S. (including Trump) have framed Ukraine as undemocratic, with Russia’s Vladimir Putin claiming parliament’s speaker is now the rightful leader.
• The lack of elections risks undermining Ukraine’s democratic credibility abroad, even as Western allies continue military support amid growing scrutiny of Zelensky’s governance.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky can easily rig elections conducted in the country amid its ongoing conflict with Russia, according to the former head of his election campaign.

Dmytro Razumkov, former chairman of the Verkhovna Rada (Ukraine’s parliament), issued this warning during an interview with journalist Anna Maksimchuk on Monday, April 21. Razumkov led Zelensky’s 2019 presidential campaign, where the comedian and lead actor of the series “Servant of the People” was voted into his first term as chief executive. Razumkov led the country’s parliament from 2019 until he was ousted in 2021.

The seasoned political strategist told Maksimchuk that any vote cast during wartime elections would be manipulated, questioning the feasibility of such a measure under martial law. Zelensky announced martial law during the onset of the Russia-Ukraine war in February 2022, and has subsequently extended it. The comedian-turned-president has also cited martial law as the reason why Ukraine hasn’t held elections for his replacement, following the expiry of his first five-year presidential term.

“If someone devises a system for elections under martial law, Zelensky will end up with 102 percent of the vote,” said Razumkov. “They’ll station conscription officers at every polling station and draft on the spot anyone who dares not support the current government.”

He further criticized the notion of conducting a remote election using Dia, Ukraine’s e-government service that includes digital voting. “Whoever controls Dia will then secure that same 102 percent,” Razumkov alleged. The political strategist sarcastically continued that the faulty system could even be used to facilitate an election victory in Ukraine for Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.

Zelensky extends martial law, further delaying elections

Razumkov’s remarks appear to be a swipe at Kyiv’s recent actions. On Wednesday, April 16, Zelensky signed legislation extending martial law – prolonging general mobilization and further pushing back elections.

The Verkhovna Rada approved the measure, with only one – People’s Deputy Aleksey Goncharenko – voting against it. Under the extension, martial law – which is set to expire on May 9 – will now be extended until Aug. 6.

Critics have warned that the lack of elections could erode domestic and international legitimacy. Former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko denounced the bill, noting that Zelensky is effectively usurping power by making it impossible to hold elections. Meanwhile, Russia has reiterated that Zelensky is no longer the legitimate leader of Ukraine and framed the country as an authoritarian state in need of “liberation.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin argued that incumbent Verkhovna Rada Chairman Ruslan Stefanchuk is Ukraine’s rightful leader as per the Ukrainian constitution. Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov accused the “Kyiv regime” of desperately trying to preserve its rule. Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov commented that Western support for Zelensky is a bid to keep a “Nazi and overtly Russophobic regime” in power.

The issue has also reverberated in the U.S., where U.S. President Donald Trump labeled Zelensky a “dictator without elections” in February. The quip highlighted growing skepticism in some Western circles about Ukraine’s democratic credentials, even as North Atlantic Treaty Organization allies continue to back Zelensky militarily. (Related: Trump: Ukraine should hold ELECTIONS to pave way for peace.)

The timing of Zelensky’s latest move carries serious weight. Without elections, his government’s claims to represent the will of the people will grow increasingly difficult to sustain both at home and abroad.

Check out Rigged.news for more similar stories.

Watch U.S. President Donald Trump calling Zelensky “a dictator without elections” during a February speech in Miami.

This video is from the Cynthia’s Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Permanent dictator: Zelensky declares NO MORE ELECTIONS in Ukraine until war ends.

Zelensky has NO CHANCE of winning if Ukraine holds wartime elections, says Putin.

NGOs demand that NO ELECTIONS be held in Ukraine to “preserve democracy.”

Sources include:

RT.com 1

RT.com 2

Brighteon.com