PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS 2010:

• After the death of the president of the Republic of Poland and 95 other people in April’s catastrophe, presidential elections have been brought forward to the 20 June 2010.

• 10 candidates are competing in the presidential race, all of them managing to gain 100,000 signatures needed to stand formally.

• Since the tragic death of president Lech Kaczynski on 10 April 2010, the functions of the president have been temporarily transferred to the Parliamentary Speaker, Bronislaw Komorowski, in accordance with the constitution.

ELECTION LAW IN POLAND:

• The first round of voting will take place on 20 June. If none of the candidates receives more than half of the valid ballots cast, then a second round will take place on 4 July. If a second round takes place, only the two top candidates voted for in the first round take part in the second deciding round.

• The President of Poland is chosen by way of a universal vote, which is an equal, direct and secret ballot protected by the constitution.

• Electoral frequency does not influence the validity of the vote.

• The presidential term of the president of the Republic of Poland is five years.

• Presidents may hold office for a maximum of two terms only.

• Presidential candidates must have Polish citizenship, be over 35 years old, and collect 100,000 signatures showing support for their candidacy.

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS IN POLAND:

• The June elections will be the fifth presidential elections since Poland gained its freedom in 1989.

• After the “Round Table” talks in 1989, which laid down the conditions of the power takeover from the communists, Polish presidents have included: General Wojciech Jaruzelski (chosen by the National Assembly, not by plebiscite); after the new constitution came into power, presidents have been Lech Walesa (1990-1995), Aleksander Kwasniewski (1995-2005) and Lech Kaczynski (2005-2010).