Legal status of an election commissioner as an authority of election administration Cover Image

Status prawny komisarza wyborczego jako organu administracji wyborczej
Legal status of an election commissioner as an authority of election administration

Author(s): Mateusz Radajewski
Subject(s): Politics / Political Sciences, Politics, Law, Constitution, Jurisprudence, Governance, Public Law, Administrative Law
Published by: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego
Keywords: electoral commissioner; electoral administration; electoral districts; polling districts; State Election Commission

Summary/Abstract: The subject of this article is the legal status of an election commissioner as an authority of election administration. The starting point for further analyses is the reconstruction of the basic aspects of an electoral commissioner’s status. In this respect, it is pointed out, among other things, the consequences of defining him as a “plenipotentiary of the State Electoral Commission” and the necessity to understand this phrase in a non-civilist way. The following part discusses the issue of tasks and competences of election commissioners. The author notes the unconstitutionality of entrusting election commissioners with the creation of polling districts and electoral districts in local government elections. A further subject of analysis is the procedure for appointing election commissioners. The participation of the minister responsible for internal affairs in it is criticised. The author also reflects on issues related to the conditions of performing the function of commissioner, such as remuneration or temporary inability to perform the function. In this respect, among other things, it is pointed out that the election commissioner does not perform his/her function within the framework of an employment relationship, but within the framework of a non-employee employment relationship of a constitutional nature. A separate issue discussed in the article is the question of premature termination of the function of the election commissioner. The author draws attention, inter alia, to the problems related to the legislator’s provision that the function expires by operation of law in the event of the fulfilment of an unspecified condition of carrying out unacceptable activities. It is also emphasised that an electoral commissioner who has been removed from office before the expiry of his or her term of office has the right to lodge a complaint on this matter with the administrative court. The article ends with the most important final conclusions concerning the analysed issues.

  • Issue Year: 2023
  • Issue No: 4
  • Page Range: 79 - 103
  • Page Count: 25
  • Language: Polish
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