We are questioning candidates for members of NEC
The Sejm vote on the candidates for the new National Electoral Commission is scheduled for December 21, 2023. Together with 20 non-governmental organizations from all over Poland whose mission is to build democracy and civil society, the Foundation asked the Speaker of the Sejm, Szymon Hołownia, to postpone the vote on the candidates to the National Electoral Commission and to organize a citizens' hearing in the Sejm. It would be an opportunity for citizens to learn about the candidates’ views on key issues related to the quality of the electoral process in Poland, such as access to voting for different groups of voters or equality of voice and electoral opportunities.
Furthermore, the Political Accountability Foundation sent questions to the parliamentary clubs and their nominated candidates, citing openness and transparency as the best foundations for trust. The letter included questions about the candidates' previous political involvement and their connections with state-owned companies and central and local government administration. It also requested an assessment of the current functioning and proposals for improving the National Electoral Commission's (NEC) operations and the election process.
So far we have received the answers from:
- Ryszard Balicki (candidate nominated by Civic Coalition parliamentary club)
- Paweł Gieras (candidate nominated by Poland 2050 - Third Path parliamentary club)
- Maciej Kliś (candidate nominated by Polish Peoples' Party - Third Path parliamentary club)
- Arkadiusz Pikulik (candidate nominated by Law and Justice parliamentary club, current member of NEC)
We will post the responses from the remaining candidates here as we receive them.