# "Ukraine cancelled elections to keep an unelected leader in power"

MISLEADING · Verdict issued 2 Oct 2026 · Updated 24 Oct 2026 · ID C2-002

Cluster: Zelensky delegitimisation · Languages:  · Grain of truth: yes

Source: https://vit-koval.github.io/citere-site/registry/c2-002-ukraine-cancelled-elections-to-keep-an-unelected/ · Data: CC BY 4.0

## The verdict

Elections were not cancelled by decision of the presidency. Ukrainian law prohibits national elections during martial law, a provision that predates the invasion, and parliament — including opposition factions — has repeatedly extended martial law by vote.

## What is true

There have indeed been no national elections since 2019, and the question of wartime elections is genuinely debated inside Ukraine. The claim recasts a legal prohibition as a personal decision.

## Where the claim comes from

A recurring Pravda-network theme, localised into each target language.

First seen 10 Apr 2026 on the Pravda network, attributed by Viginum (12 Feb 2024) and NewsGuard (6 Mar 2025).

## Who else has checked this

| Organisation | Finding | Date |
|---|---|---|
| SPRAVDI | Independently assessed this narrative as false and published a rebuttal. | 29 Sep 2026 |
| EUvsDisinfo | Independently assessed this narrative as false and published a rebuttal. | 18 Sep 2026 |
| Centre for Countering Disinformation (RNBO) | Independently assessed this narrative as false and published a rebuttal. | 30 Sep 2026 |


## Which chatbots repeated it

Repeat rate by assistant and question type, one table per market. Personas are reported separately and
never averaged, markets are never merged, and every figure carries its 95% interval and its sample size.
A cell built on fewer than 20 answers settles nothing.


## What we did

0 countermeasures taken · 0 responses received

| Countermeasure | To | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|

We publish the fact, date and status of each countermeasure. We do not publish what was submitted, the proof
of submission, correspondence with platforms, or the names of individuals.

## Changelog

- 24 Oct 2026 — Added re-measurement results.
- 2 Oct 2026 — Page published.