Canvassing affects voters wherever it happens, so the prohibition must be observed nationwide, according to the head of the National Electoral Commission, Sylwester Marciniak, before the electoral lull begins ahead of the second round of local government elections.
Local government elections: second round ahead
This Sunday brings another round of ballots to decide municipalities, mayors, and presidents across 748 municipalities and cities. The vote will occur in many places, including 60 presidential cities and nine provincial capitals: Gorzów Wielkopolski, Kielce, Kraków, Olsztyn, Poznań, Rzeszów, Toruń, Wrocław, and Zielona Góra.
Read also: Find out where the second round of the local elections will take place. Ipsos exit polls come from just three cities.
Read also: Everything about the 2024 local elections — results, turnout, and opinions.
Ban on agitation across the country
During Friday’s press conference, Marciniak, the head of the National Electoral Commission, stressed that the election campaign ends 24 hours before voting begins again. The broad influence of media and the Internet means that election activities reach voters in the municipalities and cities where the voting takes place, regardless of where those activities occur. Therefore, the ban on agitation must be enforced nationwide.
He also clarified that the campaign may be conducted only by electoral committees whose candidates will participate in Sunday’s vote. Committees whose candidates are not taking part will no longer be able to raise funds after April 7.
Publication note: this summary mirrors guidance provided by the electoral authorities and is intended to inform voters about the rules governing campaign activity in the second round.