Popular auction web sites are not only selling the usual consumer durables in the run up to the second round presidential elections in Poland on July 4 - some are also selling their votes.

The price of an electoral vote offered on Allegro.pl - the Polish version of Ebay - range from 1 zloty [24 euro cents] up to 15,000 zloty [3,700 euro].

Most of the sellers explain that they have decided to try and sell their vote because the candidate they supported in the forst round on June 20 did not advance to the second.

One advert reads: “Hi, I’m raising money for a house! If politicians have them, why can’t I have one, as well? I will gladly give up my vote. If politicians sell factories for pennies, I can sell my vote, as well. I can guarantee that the transaction is fairer than those of our politicians.” The price? 1,000 zloty (245 euro).

It is not known how many are taking up such an offer.

According to the Polish Penal Code a person who trades electoral votes can face from three months to five years in prison. (pg/mg)