Elections 2023. Polonia won more commissions abroad, but is still afraid of its votes

The Polish community is organizing and is particularly interested in the upcoming elections. – There is a great commitment on the part of Poles – confirms Anna Sieprawska Troili, coordinator of the “Polonia votes in Italy” campaign.

There have never been so many voting circuits around the world. There will be 402 of them in 92 countries – 82 more compared to the 2019 parliamentary elections. This is the result of pressure from Polish communities on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. – There are still places where these elections will be at risk, but undoubtedly, compared to the previous announcements of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that there will be 360 ​​committees, i.e. only 40 more, this is our common success – emphasizes Robert Tyszkiewicz, chairman of the parliamentary committee. commission for communications with Poles abroad.

Read also: How to vote abroad? Important dates before the elections

The largest number of district electoral commissions will be established in countries with the largest number of Poles, i.e. Great Britain, the United States and Germany. The main concerns about elections abroad remain valid and concern the 24-hour time limit for recounting votes.

– First of all, we are worried about these problems with counting the votes. There is still a great risk that there will be such commissions in the world, there will probably not be many of them, but there will be, in which the 24-hour limit for counting votes will be a real threat and such commissions may not be able to work – points out Kamil Arendt, a Polish activist and member management board of KOD UK. – There was and still is a threat. 24 hours after voting ends. Nevertheless, with 42 commissions, I am of the opinion that we will be able to do it – comments Maciej Kowalski, social activist, Coordinator of Citizens’ Election Control in Germany.

However, fearing that counting votes will be difficult, some people will decide to come to Poland especially for the elections. – Many people are going to Poland to be sure that their votes will not be lost – says Monika Szewczuk, coordinator of the “Polonia votes in Iceland” campaign, editor of the website icelandnews.pl.

Proposals of organized trips have appeared in Italy. – Quite a lot of Poles are already organizing flights to Warsaw. Many Poles also organize their trips by land transport. Each of us is simply afraid that our vote will simply be invalid – says the coordinator of the “Polonia votes in Italy” campaign.

Five commissions have been established in France, which is more than four years ago. It is a success, as the local coordinators say, although expectations were higher and there are still many blank spots on the map of the country. – There could be a little more of these commissions, because we have very well covered parts of France, i.e. the north, south, east and west, while in central France there are actually no commissions – points out Dagmara Caignec, election coordinator in France.

Polish activists in many countries also organize turnout and information campaigns on their own. – We generally cooperate here as Polonia, we will encourage and help with registration, for example – says Katarzyna Kaczor from Ireland from the Polonia Głosujemy organization.

Some people regret that state institutions did not take care of this. – We will also answer questions, and there are many of them from voters, Poles abroad. There is no initiative from the National Electoral Commission or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, no website, no hotline – points out Maciej Kowalski, coordinator of Citizens’ Election Control in Germany.

Also check: Elections and referendum. What you need to know to vote correctly

To vote abroad, you must register. This can be done online. Registration started on September 15, and applications can be submitted until October 10.