Presidential election in the midst of the #covid19 pandemic? Yes - says the Polish government. 30 million of Poles are supposed to vote on 10 May. After Hungary the next ‘coronavirus autocracy’ is underway THREAD/
1/ According to the Prime Minister Morawiecki the peak of infection is expected in May-June. People’s lives will be in danger: the election will create millions of points of contacts between them
2/ On 6 April the Parliament changed the electoral law – the entire election will be conducted by postal voting. Still, postmen will have to deliver and collect the ballots; the votes need be counted. Health risk will remain massive
3/ This election won’t be fair and equal. The electoral campaign does not take place as the country is in lockdown. It favors the incumbent President Duda (PiS). Fundamental changes in the electoral law 5 weeks ahead of an election would be illegal in any country
4/ Poland has no experience with postal voting (only disabled persons were allowed to vote per post so far). In administrative terms it is impossible to properly prepare it until 10 May. Chaos and electoral fraud are inevitable
5/ There is a way to respect both democratic standards and people’s lives. The government could declare a natural disaster under which elections cannot take place. It can be extended for as long as the situation required
6/ All opposition candidates call upon the government to introduce the state of natural disaster and postpone the election. They are likely to boycott the election if it takes place
7/ This election is an European issue: after Orban this is the next EU member state where the pandemic is exploited by the gov for a coup d’etat. And holding elections on 10 May contradicts the European efforts to fight the pandemic
8/ The situation in Poland and Hungary should be put on the agenda of next #EUCO. Council of Europe and WHO should issue statements that elections during the pandemic should not be held. Europeans should speak out
9/ President elected on 10 May will not be legitimate. He will be a ‘Corona president’ and no-one should shake his hand END/
An important statement by ODIHR Director Ingibjörg Gisladottir osce.org/odihr/election…
