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Go vote!

Source: Parker Johnson, licencja: CC 0.

Link to the lesson

Before you start you should know
  • You are able to explain the difference between the majoritarian voting system and proportional representation.

  • You are able the explain the relationship between the Sejm and the Council of Ministers, and realize the dependence of the stability of the government on the Sejm majority.

  • You are able to evaluate the importance of citizen participation to a democratic state.

You will learn
  • You will understand the importance of age census in various types of elections.

  • You will be able to define the adjectives that set outto set outset out the rules for conducting elections.

  • You will know how to cast a valid vote.

  • You will be able to characterize the procedure of choosing and the responsibilities of members of electoral commissions.

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nagranie abstraktu

After 1989, elections in Poland took place on the basis of a number of electoral laws, defining the principles of parliamentary, presidential and local elections, and from 2004 also European ones. In 2010, the Sejm undertookto undertakeundertook work on a single legal act - the Election Code - which was to harmonizeto harmonizeharmonize the principles of elections in Poland. The act was passed on January 5, 2011. It regulates voting rules in parliamentary, presidential, local government and European Parliament elections. The Election Code explains the voting rules, methods of counting votes and provisions on conditions and institutions that recognize the validity of electionsvalidity (of elections)validity of elections and criminal provisions for crimes committed against elections. In addition, the voting hours were also harmonized - the polling stations are always open between 7.00 and 21.00. Voting always takes place on a day off work.

With the entry into force of the Election Code, all other electoral regulations, according to which elections were held earlier, ceasedto ceaseceased to apply. A noveltynoveltynovelty introduced by the Code was the possibility of voting by proxy for citizens who are over 75 years old and the right to vote by correspondence. The Code also defined very precise rules for financing election campaigns and the method of accounting forto account foraccounting for this financing.

The first election, which was carried out in accordance with the principles of the Election Code, was the parliamentary election in 2011.

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Tytuł: Adjectives that set out the rules for conducting elections. Fotografia barwna, która przedstawia kostki do gry w scrabble, które układają się w napis "vote". Umieszczono na niej następujące informacje: 1. universal – the only limitation in the right to vote is the age census. It means that the legislator expects citizens to make informed decisions in the selection of representatives, and the representatives are expected to be educated and have some life experience, which gives a chance for better preparation for responsible decision-making about the life of other citizens of the state and Europe. 2. equal – the vote cast by each citizen should be equally important. It also imposes the necessity of adequate division of the state into districts on the legislator. 3. direct – the citizen votes directly for his representative (deputy, senator, councilor, voit, mayor, president of a city or state). 4. secret ballot – election organizers representing the state are obliged to ensure the voter full anonymity in the voting act. That's why polling booths are set and ballot papers are anonymous. 5. proportional - the mandates in each district are distributed among the competing electoral committees proportionally to the percentage of votes cast on their lists or majoritarian - in each district only one candidate is elected.
Adjectives that set out the rules for conducting elections
Source: licencja: CC 0.
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Adjectives that set out the rules for conducting elections to specific central authorities
Source: GroMar Sp. z o.o., licencja: CC BY-SA 3.0.

The rules of the right to vote (active electoral rights)

The right to elect representatives is vestedto be vestedvested in Polish citizens. In the elections to local government (at the commune level) and elections to the European Parliament, also citizens of member states of the European Union permanently residing in the territory of Poland have the right to vote. A prerequisiteprerequisiteprerequisite is the age of 18.

The right to stand for elections (passive electoral rights)

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Exercise 1
Do you know what age you have to be to be eligible to stand for various elections in Poland? If you don’t, search for the information online. Age census entitling to stand: 1. to the commune council, poviat council, voivodeship sejmik- Tu uzupełnij years 2. to the Sejm and the European Parliament- Tu uzupełnij years 3. for the voit, town mayor, president of the city- Tu uzupełnij years 4. to the Senate - Tu uzupełnij years 5. for the President of the Republic of Poland- Tu uzupełnij years

The voting act, in accordance with the Polish electoral law and the principles of democracy, is one of the most important elements of citizens' participation in public life. It gives you the opportunity to choose your representatives who will best serve the interests of citizens and the state. That is why it should be a thoughtfulthoughtfulthoughtful and responsible decision.

Depending on the election, we put the X sign on one or several ballot papers.

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Podpis: Where to put the X sign? Grafika przedstawiająca urnę do głosowania, do której wrzucana jest kartka z zakreśleniem. Na grafice umieszczono następujące informacje: 1. Presidential elections One X sign on the ballot paper next to the name of the selected candidate. 2. Parliamentary elections Two ballot papers, one for the Sejm, the other for the Senate. List to the Sejm: regardless of the form of the ballot paper (sheet, booklet) – one X sign next to the name of the selected candidate (selecting the election committee and the candidate on its list at the same time). List to the Senate (one-mandate electoral districts) – one X sign next to the name of the selected candidate. 3. Local government elections There are four (three in cities with poviat rights) ballot papers. Ballot paper for the executive authority of the commune (voit, town mayor or president of a city) – one X sign next to the name of the selected candidate. Ballot paper for the commune council (one-mandate districts) – one X sign next to the name of the selected candidate. Ballot paper for the poviat council, city with poviat rights council (proportional representation) – one X sign next to the name of the selected candidate (selecting the election committee and the candidate on its list at the same time). Ballot paper for the voivodeship sejmik (proportional elections) – one X sign next to the name of the selected candidate (selecting the election committee and the candidate on its list at the same time). 4. Elections to the European Parliament Regardless of the form of the ballot paper (sheet, book) – one X sign next to the name of the selected candidate (selecting the election committee and the candidate on its list at the same time).
Where to put the X sign?
Source: licencja: CC 0.

The Election Code introduced the right to vote by proxy. This right can be exercised by voters who no later than on the day of the vote each the age ofreach the age ofeach the age of 75 or have a significantsignificantsignificant or moderatemoderatemoderate degree of disability. This means that all Polish citizens who, for various reasons, may have problems getting to the polling station, but who, because of their civic right and duty, want to participate in the election, have the right to vote through a proxy holder. Previously, it was necessary to go to the polling station, which was not always adapted for the disabledadapted for the disabledadapted for the disabled.

A proxy may be a person entered in the electoral rollelectoral rollelectoral roll in the same commune as the one granting the power of proxy. A power of proxy may be taken from two persons, provided that at least one of them is a relativerelativerelative or relatedrelatedrelated. NeitherNeither... nor…Neither a person who is part of the electoral commission competent for the district of the person granting the power of proxy nor the scrutineers and candidates running in a given election can be a proxy.

The power of proxy document is prepared before a voit (a town mayor or a president of a city) or an officer of the commune office authorized by him. It is prepared at the request of the voter, addressed to the voit (mayor, president of the city) of the commune in which the voter is entered in the electoral roll, at the latestat the latestat the latest 10 days before the election day. The application should contain: surname and first name (first names), father's name, date of birth, PESEL number and address of residence of both the voter and the person to be granted the power of proxy, as well as a clear indication of the election to which the proxy voting power applies.

The right to vote by proxy is not granted to voters:

  • staying in healthcare institutions or nursing homesnursing homenursing homes,

  • prisoners in prisons and pre‑trial detention centerspre‑trial detention centerspre‑trial detention centers,

  • voting by correspondence.

In accordance with the Election Code, district electoral commissions are appointed from among voters of each district. For example, in parliamentary or presidential elections its members are appointed by a voit (town mayor, president of a city). The electoral commission consists of 6 to 8 people. Candidates for members of electoral commissions may only be persons included in the electoral roll of a given commune. The district electoral commission also includes one local government employee indicated by the voit (town mayor, president of the city). The composition of the commission is made public. The voit (mayor, president of the city) is responsible for the preparation of polling stations in the commune. According to the Election Code, at least half of the premises of the district electoral commissions should be adapted to the needs of the disabled voters.

The Election Code defines the tasks of electoral commissions:

  • conducting voting in the district in accordance with electoral rules,

  • ensuring the compliancecompliancecompliance with electoral law in the place and time of voting on the election day: opening of the polling station at appropriate times, ensuring the secrecy of ballot, making sure there are no elements of election campaigns in the premises (pre‑election silence),

  • determining the results of voting in the district (counting the votes) and making them public by posting a record of the voting process in a public place,

  • sending the results of voting electronically to the appropriate electoral commission and securing the ballots.

Scrutineers represent election committees in electoral commissions. There may be one scrutineer from each election committee in each district electoral commission, providedprovidedprovided the election committee has candidates registered in the district. This means that in every polling station there may be as many scrutineers as there were election committees registered there.

Neither a candidate in the elections, an electoral proxy, a (financial) plenipotentiary nor a member of an electoral commission can be a scrutineer.

According to the provisions of the Election Code, scrutineers can:

  • be present at the polling station during all activities of the electoral commissions, in particular during the voting, determination of the results of the vote and preparation of the report,

  • be present when transmitting the report of the electoral commission,

  • participate in the process of counting the votes,

  • participate in the process of checking the correctness of determining the results of voting,

  • submit comments to the electoral commission report related to its work, in which specific allegations should be made.

The scrutineer present in the polling station should have an identification card with his name and the name of the election committee that he represents. He must not, under the threat of criminal responsibility, conduct any form agitation in the polling station.

National Electoral Commission

The National Election Commission, which is the highest permanentpermanentpermanent electoral body, supervises the proper conduct of elections and referenda in Poland. Its members are lawyers with many years of professional practice, proposed by representatives of the judiciary.

The National Electoral Commission consists of:

  • three judges of the Constitutional Tribunal, designated by the president of the Tribunal,

  • three judges of the Supreme Court, designated by the First President of the Supreme Court,

  • three judges of the Supreme Administrative Court, designated by the President of the Supreme Administrative Court.

The members of the Commission are appointed by the President of the Republic of Poland. They elect a chairman of the Commission and his two deputies from among themselves. The Commission also includes the head of the National Electoral Office, who also performs the function of the secretary of the Commission. He participates in the work of the Commission in an advisory capacity.

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The tasks of the National Electoral Commission
Source: GroMar Sp. z o.o., licencja: CC BY-SA 3.0.

The National Electoral Office is a body providing services to electoral bodies and performing tasks related to the organization of elections and referenda in the scope specified in the Election Code and other laws.

The announcement of the validity of the elections and their results (awarding the appropriate number of seats to individual electoral committees) is the task of the National Electoral Commission. However, the determination of the validity of the election (parliamentary, presidential and to the European Parliament) belongs to the Supreme Court. If the Supreme Court considers the election to be invalid, then it will be re‑conducted all over the country. In such a case the elections are not carried out outside of Poland. If the validity of elections is confirmed, the results are announcedto announceannounced by the National Electoral Commission in the Journal of Laws of the Republic of Poland.

In the case of local government elections the validity is recognized by district courtsdistrict courtdistrict courts, competent in a given voivodeship. These courts also deal with possible complaints from citizens about the validity of the electoral procedures carried out. After considering the protests, the district court may order the repetition of elections in a given district or may invalidateto invalidateinvalidate a councilor's mandate and recommend re‑election in the district. If the district court does not find evidence of errors in the conduct of elections, it decides on their validity.

The electoral right is one of the most important civil rights in modern democratic states. Representative democracy, which has become the symbol of the best political system, should be based on well‑prepared parliamentarians and councilors who treat their work as service for the public good. However, every citizen, having the right to choose representatives, should also vote thoughtfully. Casting a vote is a civic duty, testifying totestifying totestifying to citizen’s maturity and his responsibility for the state. In Poland, all rules of voting and recognition of the validity of elections are contained in one law passed by the parliament in 2011. It is the Election Code. It resolvesto resolveresolves all doubtfuldoubtfuldoubtful issues that apply to all elections in which citizens of the Republic of Poland can participate.

Exercise 2

Consider the voter turnout in Poland. Why is it so low? Why are citizens’ passivity and political apathy dangerous to democracy? Is there a way to overcome the problem? Try to solve it using a metaplan.

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Consider the voter turnout in Poland. Why is it so low? Why are citizens’ passivity and political apathy dangerous to democracy? Is there a way to overcome the problem?
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Exercise 3
Nagranie audio. Listen to the abstract recording to review the material and new vocabulary. Then do the vocabulary exercise. Explain the meaning of following words: district court; to invalidate; testifying to; validity (of elections); reach the age of; prerequisite; polling booth; electoral roll. If it's too difficult, use lesson's glossary.

Keywords

right to vote, right to stand for elections, Election Code, voting by proxy, universal/equal/direct/proportional/majoritarian elections, secret ballot, active/passive electoral rights, census, ballot paper, one‑mandate electoral district, district electoral commission, polling station, election campaign, pre‑election silence, scrutineer, election committee, National Electoral Commission, National Electoral Office

Glossary

to undertake
to undertake
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Nagranie słówka: to undertake

przedsięwziąć

to harmonize
to harmonize
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Nagranie słówka: to harmonize

ujednolicić

to cease
to cease
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Nagranie słówka: to cease

zaprzestać

novelty
novelty
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Nagranie słówka: novelty

nowość

to account for
to account for
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Nagranie słówka: to account for

rozliczyć się z

to set out
to set out
RARtOiH7eUyVl
Nagranie słówka: to set out

ustanawiać

adequate
adequate
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Nagranie słówka: adequate

odpowiedni

anonymity
anonymity
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Nagranie słówka: anonymity

anonimowość

polling booth
polling booth
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Nagranie słówka: polling booth

kabina do głosowania

to be vested
to be vested
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Nagranie słówka: to be vested

spoczywać na

prerequisite
prerequisite
R1WQsinezXPfF
Nagranie słówka: prerequisite

warunek konieczny

thoughtful
thoughtful
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Nagranie słówka: thoughtful

przemyślany, rozważny

booklet
booklet
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Nagranie słówka: booklet

broszura

reach the age of
reach the age of
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Nagranie słówka: reach the age of

osiągnąć wiek

significant
significant
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Nagranie słówka: significant

znaczący

moderate
moderate
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Nagranie słówka: moderate

umiarkowany

adapted for the disabled
adapted for the disabled
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Nagranie słówka: adapted for the disabled

dostosowane dla niepełnosprawnych

electoral roll
electoral roll
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Nagranie słówka: electoral roll

rejestr wyborców

relative
relative
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Nagranie słówka: relative

krewny

related
related
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Nagranie słówka: related

powinowaty

Neither... nor…
Neither... nor…
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Nagranie słówka: Neither... nor…

Ani…, ani

at the latest
at the latest
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Nagranie słówka: at the latest

najpóźniej

nursing home
nursing home
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Nagranie słówka: nursing home

dom opieki

pre‑trial detention centers
pre‑trial detention centers
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Nagranie słówka: pre‑trial detention centers

areszt śledczy

compliance
compliance
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Nagranie słówka: compliance

zgodność

to secure
to secure
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Nagranie słówka: to secure

zapewnić

provided
provided
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Nagranie słówka: provided

pod warunkiem

permanent
permanent
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Nagranie słówka: permanent

stały

validity (of elections)
validity (of elections)
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Nagranie słówka: validity (of elections)

ważność (wyborów)

to announce
to announce
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Nagranie słówka: to announce

ogłaszać

district court
district court
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Nagranie słówka: district court

sąd okręgowy

to invalidate
to invalidate
R8AEqh5FNgVSU
Nagranie słówka: to invalidate

unieważnić

testifying to
testifying to
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Nagranie słówka: testifying to

potwierdzający

to resolve
to resolve
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Nagranie słówka: to resolve

rozwiązać

doubtful
doubtful
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Nagranie słówka: doubtful

wątpliwy