Official – Poland’s general election on 9 October

“According to the article 98 of the Polish Constitution, from today 4 August, we officially start the election calendar,” Komrowski said, signaling the start of the election campaign.

“We have already set a date for the electoral day for the Parliament and Senate, which will be on the 9th October 2011,” he added.

On the idea mooted that the election should take place over two, and not one, day – in an attempt to boost Poland’s moderate turnout during ballots.

President Komorowski said however that the election will be held over one day, a Sunday, and that “ we are going to apply new solutions that for the upcoming elections, to ensure a higher turnout, making it easier for people with disabilities, and Poles living abroad. The new laws introduce the possibility to vote with a representative and by mail for Polish people living abroad.”

The largest opposition party, Law and Justice (PiS) had called for the election to be held at the end of October, but the President’s Office commented that this would clash with All Saint’s Day, when many Poles travel to family members to lay flowers on graves of loved ones outside the constituency in which they are registered.

Opinion polls have consistently put Civic Platform, led by Prime Minister Donald Tusk, well in the lead since the last election in 2007 and commentators expect a second term of office for the party, with or without an overall majority.

Critics have already pointed out that having an election during Poland’s six-month presidency of the EU – which began on 1 July – could theoretically see a change of government during that period, though president of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso has stated that he does not have a problem with a ballot in the autumn. (pg/mj)