Tag: elections

PiS has harnessed the whole of the state apparatus to the battle for remaining in power. Krzysztof Izdebski analyses how those in power are using state resources in the election campaign and how public interest is being mixed with party interest. Are elections in Poland still equal, competitive and fair?

‘The structure of voters has changed. This will clearly reduce PiS’s chances in the elections. A motion was filed in 2014, as well as in 2018 and six months ago. The Sejm is not dealing with it at all for the third time, even though it is obliged to respect the opinion of the National Electoral Commission (NEC),’ says the former head of the NEC, Judge Wojciech Hermeliński.

The amendments to the Electoral Code which PiS is trying to push through will not help the electoral process, but will allow the co-financing of party activity. Róża Rzeplińska of Mam Prawo Wiedzieć [I have the right to know] tells us about the new possibilities of conducting financial scams

It is already too late to amend the electoral code. While some of the changes are dangerous and harmful – one by one, Adam Gendźwiłł, an expert on electoral systems and local government politics, presents the damage that PiS’s bill brings

It is clear to us that ODIHR should devote the maximum possible time and effort to observing the parliamentary election next year in Poland including on election day. Given that the election campaign has already begun, this overview could, as much as possible, include political processes taking place before the official start of the campaign – 13 Polish NGOs call on OSCE/ODIHR to monitor 2023 elections

The electoral process is overseen by all courts – from district courts to the Supreme Court. And they are all tainted by their unconstitutional design and staffed by the politicised National Council of the Judiciary, so they do not provide basic guarantees of fair and honest voting.

“We expect an amendment that will provide effective protection against attacks motivated by prejudice, including on the grounds of sexual orientation, gender identity, age, gender and disability; that is, those discriminatory features that currently do not have any such protection in Polish law” – distinguished Polish lawyers appeal to candidates in the election to become President of the Republic of Poland

Voting entirely by post can breach the constitutional principle of the universality of the elections. The campaign being conducted does not respect the principle of equal opportunities for the candidates, while the citizens are not receiving even a minimal amount of knowledge about the elections. Held in this way, they cannot be consistent with international standards.

Law and Justice party has just excluded a key institution from the process of preparing the elections: the National Electoral Commission. Former Chairperson of the Commission Judge Hermeliński: such a change in the electoral laws and procedures is in breach of Article 2 of the Constitution.