Institution of social election observers in Polish electoral law

Abstract

The article is the inclusion of social observer institutions in the Polish electoral law. The first part of the study presents the genesis of a new institution, introduced by the Act of 11 January 2018 on amending certain acts in order to increase the participation of citizens in the process of selecting, functioning and controlling some of the public bodies. The rest of the article discusses the institution of social observers by analyzing the relevant provisions of the amended Election Code and the resolutions of the National Electoral Commission. The conclusion was that the institution of social observers, in addition to the institutions of international election observers and persons of trust already functioning in the Polish electoral law, is an important instrument to control the correctness and integrity of the electoral process. However, as it seems, a deeper reflection on the institution of social observers will require verification in practice, and for this purpose their participation in at least a few electoral processes is necessary.