A double referendum was held in Poland on 18 February 1996.[1] One question concerned enfranchisement, whilst the others concerned state property. The first proposition was ordered by the President, whilst the others were created on the basis of resolution made by Sejm. All except one were approved by over 90% of voters. However, voter turnout was just 32%, well below the 50% threshold required to make the results valid.[2]

Act about the referendum

The act about the referendum was passed on June 25, 1995 (Dz.U. 99, position 487 from 25.08.1995)

Subject of the referendum

Enfranchisement question

On 29 November 1995, President of Poland Lech Wałęsa, after getting permission from Senate, mandated a referendum with the question:

  • Do you approve the enfranchisement of citizens?

Privatisation questions

On 21 December 1995 the Sejm passed a referendums act, in which four question were to be placed on the ballot:

  1. Are you for or against – obligations towards pensioners, annuitants and retirees in the Civil Service will be fulfilled with the privatised state-owned assets?[3]
  2. Are you for or against – a part of the privatised state-owned assets will be assigned to public pension funds?[3]
  3. Are you for or against – the value of joint stock certificates in National Investment Fund will be increased?[3]
  4. Are you for the use of privatisation bonds in the universal property restitution program?[3]

Results

Enfranchisement

Choice Votes %
For8,580,12996.2
Against343,1973.8
Invalid/blank votes152,678–
Total9,076,004100
Registered voters/turnout28,009,71532.4
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

Privatisation

Question I

Choice Votes %
For8,439,45895.1
Against437,4664.9
Invalid/blank votes208,221–
Total9,085,145100
Registered voters/turnout28,009,71532.4
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

Question II

Choice Votes %
For8,512,932196.0
Against355,3634.0
Invalid/blank votes215,851–
Total9,085,145100
Registered voters/turnout28,009,71532.4
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

Question III

Choice Votes %
For1,985,56723.2
Against6,588,55976.8
Invalid/blank votes511,019–
Total9,085,145100
Registered voters/turnout28,009,71532.4
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

Question IV

Choice Votes %
For8,022,35391.3
Against762,9058.7
Invalid/blank votes299,887–
Total9,085,145100
Registered voters/turnout28,009,71532.4
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

References

  1. ↑ Dieter Nohlen & Philip Stöver (2010) Elections in Europe: A data handbook, p1491 ISBN 978-3-8329-5609-7
  2. ↑ Polish Referendum: Mixed Results Stall Privatization Chicago Tribune, 21 February 1996
  3. 1 2 3 4 Nohlen & Stöver, p1499
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