President greenlights changes to Polish election law

Poland’s president has approved changes to electoral law that officials say aim to bring polling stations closer to voters and increase turnout. 

Photo:

PAP/Darek Delmanowicz

President Andrzej Duda signed the proposed legislation into effect after it was voted through by Poland's parliament, public broadcaster Polish Radio’s IAR news agency reported on Tuesday.

📄 Nowelizacja Kodeksu wyborczego z podpisem Prezydenta RP.

💬 Ta ustawa ma charakter profrekwencyjny; zwiększa jawność i ułatwia możliwość udziału Polaków w wyborach — podkreślił Szef Gabinetu Prezydenta RP @PSzrot. https://t.co/bjLZsPFA9F pic.twitter.com/iW2xvYdlDq

— Kancelaria Prezydenta (@prezydentpl) March 14, 2023

Under the new rules, drawn up by Poland’s ruling conservatives, municipalities without a well-developed mass transit system will need to provide voters with free transport to polling stations on election day.

Voters with disabilities and those aged 60 and older will be entitled to a free door-to-door transport service, bringing them from their homes to polling stations, according to officials.

The measure will also increase the number of polling stations nationwide by about 6,000, state news agency PAP reported.

All these new rules are expected to increase voter turnout, officials have told reporters.

The new regulations also include the creation of a Central Electoral Register, the PAP news agency reported.

(gs)

Source: IAR, PAP