On 15 October, a referendum will be held alongside the elections to the Sejm and Senate. This is a tactic already known from the most recent parliamentary elections in Hungary, consisting in diverting voters’ attention from matters important to them. The questions suggest a preferred way of voting, manipulate emotions, deliberately create a sense of threat in the recipient, and thus make it more difficult for citizens to make informed decisions. Moreover, introducing the topic of migration, which is by no means one-dimensional and affects our future, in a socially irresponsible manner that disrespects human dignity will harm us all.

Opposition politicians are discouraging participation in the referendum. For it to be invalid, as few people as possible must take part in it. If we take the referendum ballot, we will be counted as people who participated in the referendum. Therefore, we should take only the two ballots for the Sejm and Senate and refuse the referendum ballot. We should also make sure that the commission marks on the electoral roll, where we sign, that we have refused to accept the referendum ballot..

Explanation from the National Electoral Commission

Under no circumstances can a voter (a person entitled to take part in the referendum) be forced or required to vote in elections for any body or to participate in a referendum. The decision to participate in elections for a given body (e.g. the Sejm or Senate) or in a referendum is therefore the exclusive decision of the voter (the person entitled to take part in the referendum). In the case of a referendum held on the same day as elections to the Sejm of the Republic of Poland and the Senate of the Republic of Poland, a voter may therefore decide, solely at their own discretion, to participate, for example,

  • only in the elections to the Sejm of the Republic of Poland and the Senate of the Republic of Poland (without taking part in the referendum);
  • only in the referendum (without taking part in the elections to the Sejm and Senate);
  • only in the elections to the Sejm of the Republic of Poland (without taking part in the elections to the Senate of the Republic of Poland or in the referendum);

If a voter refuses to accept a ballot or ballots, the precinct electoral commission will record this on the electoral roll.