Does the Polish model of election silence need a change?

The institution of election silence as well as its scope has been a subject of debates and controversies for years. Supporters of election silence underline its moderating and anticoaxing character. The opponents point to inveterate breaching of its rules, particularly on the Internet. For all that, the institution of election silence serves some political and social purposes and imperfections of its execution do not have to perforce undermine its merits. The aim of the present paper is to analyse legal solutions concerning election silence that have been implemented around the world and that constitute sundry models of this institution. Comparing them allows for identifying universal solutions and areas worth reforming.

Comments on proposed changes to the Election Code

The aim of the article is to present some selected proposals for changes within the Polish electoral law, which – despite the fact that they were formulated by the doctrine of constitutional law and international organizations overseeing the correctness of the election process and were raised in the legislative process – in most cases – have not yet been reflected in subsequent amendments to the Electoral Code. The analysis included the proposals reported by the National Electoral Commission regarding the changes in the provisions of the Code relating to the voting lists, the introduction into the Polish legal order of the national institutions the independent election observers, the admissibility of bringing an appeal to the court against the decisions of the National Electoral Commission, and some cyclical demands to abolish the election silence. The assessment of the indicated issues was made in the light of the OSCE’s position, the science of law, the decisions of the Constitutional Court and the proposed amendment bills to the electoral law.

The aim of the article is to present recent amendments to the Electoral Code respecting constitutional right to a court and to describe some selected proposals for changes within the Polish electoral law, which – despite the fact that they were formulated by the doctrine of constitutional law and were raised in the legislative process – in certain cases have not yet been reflected in subsequent amendments to the Electoral Code. The analysis included the admissibility of bringing an appeal to the court against the decisions of the National Electoral Commission and some cyclical demands to abolish the election silence. The assessment of the indicated issues was made in the light of the science of law, the decisions of the Constitutional Court and the proposed amendment bills to the electoral law.

Election silence is a legally determined period that typically begins directly before Election Day and lasts until the voting comes to an end. During the election silence, it is forbidden to conduct “any form of electoral agitation aimed at promoting a particular candidate, list of candidates or electoral committees participating in the election among voters”. Due to the rapid development of new media, particularly the Internet, many experts argue that in the age of digital media it is no longer enforceable. Thus, the main purpose of this paper is to answer the question of whether or not it is justified to retain the current regulations on election silence. These considerations are supported by quantitative surveys conducted by the author, as well as the survey realized by the Public Opinion Research Center (CBOS).

Instytucja ciszy wyborczej w preferencjach politycznych

Cisza wyborcza to czas, w którym zakazana jest jakakolwiek forma agitacji politycznej. Jest to czas, który ma służyć spokojnej refleksji, zastanowieniu, pozwalający na podjęcie świadomej i przemyślanej decyzji wyborczej. Celem niniejszego artykułu jest próba udzielenia odpowiedzi na pytanie, czy zdaniem polskich wyborców w dobie rozwoju nowoczesnych technologii informacyjnych i komunikacyjnych racjonalne jest utrzymanie takiego elementu systemu wyborczego jak instytucja ciszy wyborczej. W artykule przedstawiono wyniki badania przeprowadzonego w ramach ogólnopolskiego projektu Political Preferences. Badanie przeprowadzono jesienią 2019 r. w wykorzystaniem metody ankietowej na liczącej 1072 osób reprezentatywnej próbie losowej dorosłych mieszkańców Polski.