Placing four adult residents of the Children’s Home on electoral commissions was an initiative of Przemysław Moszczyński (Ruch Poparcia Palikota). The parliamentary candidate could fill 205 commissions in four counties with people of his choice.
– I wanted to give the residents of the Children’s Home such an opportunity – says Przemysław Moszczyński. – I thought it would be a good start to their adult civic lives. Taking part in the elections in this way could make them more favorably disposed toward democracy and the state. The young people could also receive the remuneration due to commission members for this work, which would be an additional advantage – he adds.
– Our teacher told us about it – says Ewelina from the Children’s Home. – I was very happy and said that it would be an honor for me.
Three boys and one girl enthusiastically accepted the proposal. They only needed to complete the formalities.
Przemysław Moszczyński checked the young people’s identity cards and their details. He stated that everything was correct. All four had Kubika Street in Bolesławiec entered on their identity cards. They were all registered with the electoral commission. Moszczyński was certain that he had done a good civic deed and that everything had been settled.
On Thursday morning, four days before the election, the candidate received a call from one of the residents. The boy called, disappointed that no one had yet informed him where he was supposed to go or whether he would serve on the commission at all.
– I checked it. I was very surprised to learn that the people I had selected were not on the electoral rolls in Bolesławiec and were not entitled to vote in the city – Moszczyński recounts. – They were rejected because they did not meet the formal requirements. The registered address on their identity cards was temporary. I decided to find out who was responsible and locate that person.
At the Children’s Home, the candidate met with teacher Bogusława Wolak. – Mr. Moszczyński visited me twice that Thursday – says Bogusława Wolak. – I explained to him that the children are permanently registered in neighboring municipalities. They can vote there and serve on electoral commissions there. The misunderstanding and the entire problem arose because I received no feedback that our residents had not been approved by the commission in Bolesławiec – she adds.
In the end, only one of the four managed to serve on a commission. Przemysław Moszczyński feels responsible for involving the young people in an initiative that failed. Several things went wrong, but above all, there was a lack of knowledge about their own electoral rights.
Questions remain as to who should ensure that the young residents of the Children’s Home are made aware of their rights and informed where they can take part in the first vote of their lives—and whether passing on such knowledge is important to anyone.
(information: Grażyna Hanaf)