1996 Polish referendums

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A double referendum was held in Poland on 18 February 1996.[1] One concerned enfranchisement, whilst the others concerned state property. The first 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 referendums valid.[2]

## Contents

* 1 Act about the referendums
* 2 Subject of the referendums
* 2.1 Enfranchisement referendum
* 2.2 Privatisation referendum
* 3 Results
* 3.1 Enfranchisement referendum
* 3.2 Privatisation referendum
* 3.3 Question I
* 3.4 Question II
* 3.5 Question III
* 3.6 Question IV
* 4 References

## Act about the referendums[edit]

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

## Subject of the referendums[edit]

### Enfranchisement referendum[edit]

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

* Do you approve the enfranchisement of citizens?

### Privatisation referendum[edit]

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[edit]

### Enfranchisement referendum[edit]

Choice  | Votes  | %

|
|

For | 8,580,129 | 96.2
Against | 343,197 | 3.8
Invalid/blank votes | 152,678 | –
Total | 9,076,004 | 100
Registered voters/turnout | 28,009,715 | 32.4
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

### Privatisation referendum[edit]

### Question I[edit]

Choice  | Votes  | %

|
|

For | 8,439,458 | 95.1
Against | 437,466 | 4.9
Invalid/blank votes | 208,221 | –
Total | 9,085,145 | 100
Registered voters/turnout | 28,009,715 | 32.4
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

### Question II[edit]

Choice  | Votes  | %

|
|

For | 8,512,9321 | 96.0
Against | 355,363 | 4.0
Invalid/blank votes | 215,851 | –
Total | 9,085,145 | 100
Registered voters/turnout | 28,009,715 | 32.4
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

### Question III[edit]

Choice  | Votes  | %

|
|

For | 1,985,567 | 23.2
Against | 6,588,559 | 76.8
Invalid/blank votes | 511,019 | –
Total | 9,085,145 | 100
Registered voters/turnout | 28,009,715 | 32.4
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

### Question IV[edit]

Choice  | Votes  | %

|
|

For | 8,022,353 | 91.3
Against | 762,905 | 8.7
Invalid/blank votes | 299,887 | –
Total | 9,085,145 | 100
Registered voters/turnout | 28,009,715 | 32.4
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

## References[edit]

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. ^ a b c d Nohlen & Stöver, p1499

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History of the Third Polish Republic

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* See also: Elections in the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth

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