The local election in Olsztyn, northern Poland, to replace disgraced Mayor Czeslaw Malkowski, accused of sexual abuse and rape, was inconclusive, Sunday.

According to official results, Piotr Grzymowicz (PSL) received 14,115 votes (39.22 percent) and Krzysztof Karkosik (PO) 10,196 votes (28.83 percent). A second round, in two week’s time, is necessary because neither of the candidates received over 50 percent of the votes.

The turnout of Sunday’s elections was 26.94 percent.

The early ballot was called because in November 2008 the residents of Olsztyn decided in a referendum that Mayor Malkowski had to step aside after the public prosecutor charged him with sexual harassment of female employees at the town hall and raping one of them. Another investigation against him into finaces at the town hall is being conducted in Lomza, north-eastern Poland. (jm/pg)

Source: PAP