When's the presidential election? PKW explains

wbijamszpile.pl 7 months ago

The Marshal of the Sejm is not able to announce the presidential election before 15 January 2025 – this is how the position of the State Election Commission (PKW) is based on. This decision is linked to a constitutional ban on holding elections within 90 days of the end of the natural disaster. The presidential election should take place in May.

The introduction of a natural disaster in September 2024, linked to the disastrous effects of floods, triggered constitutional mechanisms limiting the time limits for elections. The state of disaster was abolished on 16 October 2024. However, in accordance with Article 228(7) of the Constitution of the Republic of Poland, elections may not be ordered within 90 days of the end of the emergency.

This constitutional request means that presidential elections can only be announced on January 15, 2025. Magdalena Pietrzak, the secretary of PKW, explained in an interview with the Polish Press Agency that these regulations concern both the announcement of the election date and the publication of the election calendar.

Proceedings of Marshal Holownia in the light of regulations

Speaker of the Sejm Simon Holovnia had previously announced that he intended to announce the presidential election as early as 8 January 2025. His decision was to launch an authoritative election process, including a presidential campaign. However, questions have been raised about the compatibility of this word with constitutional records.

In consequence to doubts, the Hołownia asked the PKW to interpret the rules. In its position, the Commission stressed that both the election order and its implementation must take place after 14 January 2025.

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PKW and earlier interpretations of electoral rules

The PKW position is not new. Similarly, the Commission interpreted the rules in the context of local elections. The regulation prohibiting the organisation of elections within 90 days of the end of the emergency has already been applied in disaster areas. These decisions aim to guarantee the formal correctness of the electoral process and to avoid possible electoral protests.

Decision of the talker of the Sejm - Presidential elections

In consequence to the PKW position received, the Sejm announced that the Marshal would take the Commission's opinion into account in its activities. It has been ensured that compliance with the law and attention to the electoral process is simply a priority.