http://www2.polskieradio.pl/eo/dokument.aspx?iid=143901

Poles at the polls for local election ballots

21.11.2010
photos - east news; below right - PAP/Darek Delmanowicz
UPDATE 2 - Twenty five thousand polling stations are now open across the country as voters take part in the first round of local elections in Poland. AT 15.00 CET, turnout was 27.55 percent, says the election commission.

The highest turnout was recorded in the Podkarpacie province in the south where 32.18 percent voted after polling stations opened at 8 am.

In the cities, the largest turnout was recorded in Rzeszow, at 29.68 percent.

Stefan Jaworski at the National Electoral Commission says that polling station were open without incident and on time at 08.00 CET this morning.

Ballot boxes will be closed at 22.00 CET tonight. Results will be known on Tuesday or Wednesday, though exit polls will be released on the stroke of 10 pm.

Voters are being asked to choose candidates for local councils, provincial assemblies, local mayors and presidents of cities.

The National Electoral Commission says that there have been incidences of people breaking election law, whereby election posters were put up on Saturday, in violation of the so-called ‘election silence’ rules. Election campaign material was also destroyed, mostly by drunks, says Stefan Jaworski.

Breaking election silence laws can be punishable by up to a 5,000 zloty (1,250 euros) fine.

The second round of ballots will be on 5 December.

Thenews.pl will have details of the latest exit and opinion polls after polling stations close at 22.00 CET tonight. (pg)

source: IAR/PAP