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Poles warned of steep fines for breaking 'election silence' rules

15.05.2025 12:00
Poland’s National Electoral Commission (PKW) said on Thursday that anyone publishing opinion polls or campaigning for candidates during this weekend’s legally mandated election silence faces fines of up to PLN 1 million (USD 265,000).
Photo:
Photo:PAP/Darek Delmanowicz

Beginning on Saturday and lasting until polling stations close at 9 p.m. on Sunday, the blackout bans rallies, online ads, canvassing and the release of surveys.

Officials said the embargo could be extended if voting hours are prolonged by emergencies such as flooding or power cuts.

What is prohibited

  • public urging to vote for or against specific candidates, online or offline
  • displaying election symbols inside or near polling stations
  • driving vehicles wrapped in campaign posters (parked cars may remain)
  • publishing any polls, including election-day exit polls

Penalties

  • violating the campaigning ban is punishable by a court-imposed fine (typical range: several hundred to tens of thousands of zlotys).
  • Publishing polls carries the steepest sanction: PLN 500,000 to 1,000,000. Only police and courts decide what constitutes a breach; citizens should report suspected violations directly to law enforcement, the PKW said.

Poles will vote to elect a president on Sunday in a race led by liberal Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski against nationalist contender Karol Nawrocki and far-right candidate Sławomir Mentzen.

A runoff, if needed, is set for June 1.

(jh/gs)

Source: PAP