1996 Polish referendum
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A double referendum was held in Poland on 18 February 1996.[1] One question concerned enfranchisement, whilst the others concerned state property. The first proposition was ordered by the President, whilst the others were created on the basis of resolution made by Sejm. All except one were approved by over 90% of voters. However, voter turnout was just 32%, well below the 50% threshold required to make the results valid.[2]
Act about the referendum
[edit]The act about the referendum was passed on June 25, 1995 (Dz.U. 99, position 487 from 25.08.1995)
Subject of the referendum
[edit]Enfranchisement question
[edit]On 29 November 1995, President of Poland Lech Wałęsa, after getting permission from Senate, mandated a referendum with the question:
- Do you approve the enfranchisement of citizens?
Privatisation questions
[edit]On 21 December 1995 the Sejm passed a referendums act, in which four question were to be placed on the ballot:
- Are you for or against – obligations towards pensioners, annuitants and retirees in the Civil Service will be fulfilled with the privatised state-owned assets?[3]
- Are you for or against – a part of the privatised state-owned assets will be assigned to public pension funds?[3]
- Are you for or against – the value of joint stock certificates in National Investment Fund will be increased?[3]
- Are you for or against – the use of privatisation bonds in the universal property restitution program?[3]
Results
[edit]Enfranchisement
[edit]| Choice | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
| For | 8,580,129 | 96.2 |
| Against | 343,197 | 3.8 |
| Invalid/blank votes | 152,678 | – |
| Total | 9,076,004 | 100 |
| Registered voters/turnout | 28,009,715 | 32.4 |
| Source: Nohlen & Stöver | ||
Privatisation
[edit]Question I
[edit]| Choice | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
| For | 8,439,458 | 95.1 |
| Against | 437,466 | 4.9 |
| Invalid/blank votes | 208,221 | – |
| Total | 9,085,145 | 100 |
| Registered voters/turnout | 28,009,715 | 32.4 |
| Source: Nohlen & Stöver | ||
Question II
[edit]| Choice | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
| For | 8,512,9321 | 96.0 |
| Against | 355,363 | 4.0 |
| Invalid/blank votes | 215,851 | – |
| Total | 9,085,145 | 100 |
| Registered voters/turnout | 28,009,715 | 32.4 |
| Source: Nohlen & Stöver | ||
Question III
[edit]| Choice | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
| For | 1,985,567 | 23.2 |
| Against | 6,588,559 | 76.8 |
| Invalid/blank votes | 511,019 | – |
| Total | 9,085,145 | 100 |
| Registered voters/turnout | 28,009,715 | 32.4 |
| Source: Nohlen & Stöver | ||
Question IV
[edit]| Choice | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
| For | 8,022,353 | 91.3 |
| Against | 762,905 | 8.7 |
| Invalid/blank votes | 299,887 | – |
| Total | 9,085,145 | 100 |
| Registered voters/turnout | 28,009,715 | 32.4 |
| Source: Nohlen & Stöver | ||
References
[edit]- ^ Dieter Nohlen & Philip Stöver (2010) Elections in Europe: A data handbook, p1491 ISBN 978-3-8329-5609-7
- ^ Polish Referendum: Mixed Results Stall Privatization Chicago Tribune, 21 February 1996
- ^ a b c d Nohlen & Stöver, p1499
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