How to Vote Abroad? Important Deadlines Before the Elections
The next elections to the Sejm and Senate of the Republic of Poland will be held on October 15. All Poles, including those residing outside the country, can participate. How to vote abroad? How to take part in elections on a Polish sea vessel? We explain.
All Polish citizens with active voting rights can take part in the parliamentary elections scheduled for October 15 outside the country. Voting in foreign precincts will take place from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. local precinct time. The exceptions are places where, according to the above rule, voting would be completed the day after the end of voting in Poland. There, the elections will be held a day earlier, on October 14, the Service of the Republic of Poland reports.
In order to vote, voters residing abroad must present a valid passport at the headquarters of the PEC. In European Union countries and countries where they can enter with a Polish ID card, they can use their ID. They must also add themselves to the register of voters or obtain a certificate of the right to vote.
How to vote abroad? Being added to the voter register
Poles staying abroad on October 15 can add themselves to the register of voters of a foreign PEC. A written application to this effect should be submitted to the relevant consul before October 10.
This can be done either in person, at the consulate, or by sending a scan of the application to the consulate’s email address or using the e-elections service.
In the body of the application to be added to a foreign voter register, one should include: one’s surname and first name, PESEL number, the number of a valid passport or identity card (in the case of persons residing in the European Union or countries allowing entry to their territory upon its presentation), the address of residence abroad, e-mail address and cell phone number, informs the State Election Commission.
Voting from outside Poland. Certificate of the right to vote
In addition to being included in the electoral registry of PECs established abroad, casting a vote in the upcoming parliamentary elections from outside Poland is also possible by presenting a certificate of the right to vote at the polling station. It allows you to take part in elections to the Sejm and Senate of the Republic of Poland in any place of your choice – including abroad or on a Polish sea vessel. Any Polish citizen with active voting rights can apply for it.
An application for a certificate on the right to vote can be submitted to the consul or, in the case of those staying on Polish sea vessels, to the captain. Voters who do not reside abroad permanently, but plan to leave for the duration of the elections, can also obtain such a certificate at any municipality office of their choice. The deadline for submitting the application is October 12.
An application for a certificate can be submitted independently or by a person authorized to do so in writing. The written authorization should contain the names, surnames and PESEL numbers of the voter and the person authorized by him. Once the application is granted, certificates are issued on the spot at the same place where the application for them was submitted. In special cases, they can also be sent by the consul to the address indicated by the applicant, reports the State Election Commission.
It is important not to lose the certificate already received. Its duplicates or copies are not issued. After losing it, taking part in elections will not be possible.
Voting on sea vessels
As mentioned above, those wishing to participate in the upcoming parliamentary elections on a Polish sea vessel may do so upon presentation of a certificate of the right to vote. An application for it should be submitted to the relevant captain before October 12.
Persons who plan to be on a Polish sea vessel on election day may also apply to be included in the register of voters in a precinct established on the ship. An application to this effect should be submitted to the captain by October 10. It should include your name, PESEL number and address of residence.