At midnight from Friday to Saturday, election silence began before the presidential election. It will last until the end of the vote, which is until 9 p.m. on Sunday. During this time, it is prohibited to print polls, agitate for candidates. The ban besides applies online. A fine of up to PLN 1 million is at stake for breaking the election silence.
Presidential elections I want them to start on Sunday at 7. Electoral silence It'll take until it's over. If no of the regional electoral commissions extend the vote, it will end at 9 p.m. Then on Polsat, Polsat News and on polsatnews.pl we will present the first poll results of the election.
Voting time may be extended as a consequence of exceptional events, specified as floods, flooding of electoral premises, construction or communication disaster, or the request to print out ballot cards. specified obstacles are objectively hindering or paralysing the work of the committee.
Presidential election 2025. Electoral silence has begun
Electoral silence is simply a period in which full ban on political agitation. It has been regulated in the electoral code, and its aim is to give voters time to make decisions without the force and influence of political campaigns.
SEE: In this country, the vote will be impossible. MFA warns Poles
It starts at midnight from Friday to Saturday before election day and runs until the end of the vote, which is until 9:00 p.m. on Sunday, erstwhile the polling stations are closed. During this time, any action promoting candidates shall be prohibited, including:
- organising rallies,
- distribution of leaflets,
- publishing polls,
- conducting agitation in the media and the Internet.
What are the penalties for breaking vote silence?
Any action aimed at encouraging voting a circumstantial candidate, both in public and online, is subject to strict sanctions. For breaking this ban, there is simply a punishment for a fine that can scope even PLN 5 000.
Electoral agitation can take various forms - not only direct call for vote, but besides insignificant gestures specified as exposing electoral symbols. Even public speakingif it is aggitative, it may be considered an infringement.
SEE: Presidential election 2025. Who can vote?
Publication of poll results during the silence of the election is 1 of the most serious violations. This applies to both conventional media and the internet, including private Facebook and Twitter entries and surveys.
A fine from PLN 500,000 to even PLN 1,000,000. These rules aim to prevent public manipulation in fresh hours before the vote.
Responsibility for online agitation
In the age of social media, it is easy to unwittingly violate voter silence. Comments, posts or even reactions to entries concerning candidates may be considered as agitation.
Avoid:
- publishing posts supporting candidates,
- making electoral content available,
- Like or comment on political entries.
In 2020, there were cases where social media users were fined for interacting with electoral content.
Agitation at the polling station - what's the threat?
Violation of electoral silence at or around the electoral venue may consequence not only in fines but besides in police intervention and removal.
Not permitted, among others:
- wearing clothes or pin with the names of candidates,
- loud talks about elections,
- distribution of leaflets or another material to advance candidates.
Members of the electoral committees shall be obliged to pay attention to specified infringements and to take appropriate action.
Violation of election silence. Consequences for public individuals
Public individuals and candidates should pay peculiar attention to keeping the election quiet. Its infringement may consequence in financial penalties, as well as serious image crisis and legal consequences.
Examples show that even a insignificant infringement can affect the public's acceptance of the candidate and undermine its credibility.
