Działania Rzecznika Praw Obywatelskich na rzecz ochrony czynnego prawa wyborczego
Action of the ombudsman for the protection of the right to vote

Summary/Abstract: Consecutively applicable provisions of electoral law pertaining to the operation of the institution of ombudsman in Poland have been subject to many instances of particular term Advocates. They mainly considered the safeguarding of rights and freedoms of voters by ensuring that they were in no way prevented or hindered the from participating in elections. To achieve this goal, the Ombudsman entered into relationships with both bodies of the legislature and local government bodies. Above all the ombudsman forged relationships with the National Electoral Commission. In their speeches spokesmen repeatedly indicated the need of introducing alternative voting methods to Polish electoral law, that is postal voting, voting by proxy or voting by electronic media. The ombudsman also expressed support for the concept of enactment of a uniform election code. The Ombudsman officials made a number of inspections at polling stations in order to not so much detect irregularities, but to identify some ways of avoiding them in the future and effectively protect the rights of voters. Spokesmen also conducted educational activities through appeals to the media, widely informing the public about new electoral procedures. The analysis shows that the Ombudsman was one of the authorities most involved in promoting changes, facilitating such changes and – in the case of certain groups of citizens – enabling participation in the electoral act.

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