Poles in Ukraine will not be able to vote in the country. Paweł Wroński, a press spokesperson of the Ministry of abroad Affairs, told PAP that "in Ukraine, elections cannot be held in specified a way that their result cannot be questioned."
The exact number of Poles entitled to vote who reside in Ukraine is hard to specify precisely. It is estimated to be around 1.4 000 people. – said Wronski.
After Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, most states resigned from forming electoral districts in the affected country. However, any electoral systems let mailing votes or by proxy. This option was used, for example, by citizens of France who were present in Ukraine during the early elections to the National Assembly in 2024 and by the Americans who voted in the last year's U.S. presidential elections in Ukraine.
Prior to the Polish Ministry of abroad Affairs presidential election scheduled for 18 May, he decided not to make a voting circuit in Ukraine. A akin decision was made for the elections to the Sejm and the legislature in October 2023 and the European Parliament elections in June 2024.
"If elections are held and there is an air attack, for example, it is an indication to go to the shelter, what to do with the commission and how, in connection with specified events, not to prolong its operation?" Wronski asked. He stressed that Poland is acting in accordance with the rules besides applied by another countries.
Presidential elections 2025
Romania withdrew from these rules during the presidential election, the first circular of which took place on 4 May, and the second will take place on 18 May. As reported by Radio France International, Romanian citizens can vote in 3 electoral commissions in Ukraine – in the embassy in Kiev and in 2 towns in Zakarpacie: Chernivtsi and Sołotwin. In order to limit the anticipation of election fraud, the rule was adopted that in the event of a raid, the premises would be closed and reopened upon cancellation of the alarm.
As indicated in the European Centre for number Issues, the 2001 census revealed that there were 151,000 Romanians in Ukraine. Most in the Chernivtsi, Zakarpacki and Odski circuits.
Polish citizens surviving in Ukraine must return to the country on Sunday to vote.
Thursday is the last day on which a certificate from the consulate can be obtained, thanks to which they can be entered on the electoral list and vote on any electoral commission in Poland on which they will appear on the electoral day.
"In Poland this certificate is issued by any municipal office, while in Ukraine only the consul can issue it," said Marcin Chmielnicki, the spokesperson for the National Election Office.
Source: PAP
