1996 Polish referendum|
|
Paper ballot that was used in the referendum, without the stamps. |
| Outcome | Referendums failed because the required voter turnout of 50% of eligible voters was not reached. |
|---|
|
|
|
Choice
|
Votes
|
%
|
| Yes
|
8,580,129
|
96.15%
|
| No
|
343,197
|
3.85%
|
| Valid votes
|
8,923,326
|
98.32%
|
| Invalid or blank votes
|
152,678
|
1.68%
|
| Total votes
|
9,076,004
|
100.00%
|
| Registered voters/turnout
|
28,009,715
|
32.4%
| |
|
|
|
Choice
|
Votes
|
%
|
| Yes
|
8,439,458
|
95.07%
|
| No
|
437,466
|
4.93%
|
| Valid votes
|
8,876,924
|
97.71%
|
| Invalid or blank votes
|
208,221
|
2.29%
|
| Total votes
|
9,085,145
|
100.00%
|
| Registered voters/turnout
|
28,009,715
|
32.44%
| |
|
|
|
Choice
|
Votes
|
%
|
| Yes
|
8,512,931
|
95.99%
|
| No
|
355,363
|
4.01%
|
| Valid votes
|
8,868,294
|
97.61%
|
| Invalid or blank votes
|
216,851
|
2.39%
|
| Total votes
|
9,085,145
|
100.00%
|
| Registered voters/turnout
|
28,009,715
|
32.44%
| |
|
|
|
Choice
|
Votes
|
%
|
| Yes
|
1,985,567
|
23.16%
|
| No
|
6,588,559
|
76.84%
|
| Valid votes
|
8,574,126
|
94.38%
|
| Invalid or blank votes
|
511,019
|
5.62%
|
| Total votes
|
9,085,145
|
100.00%
|
| Registered voters/turnout
|
28,009,715
|
32.44%
| |
|
|
|
Choice
|
Votes
|
%
|
| Yes
|
8,022,353
|
91.32%
|
| No
|
762,905
|
8.68%
|
| Valid votes
|
8,785,258
|
96.70%
|
| Invalid or blank votes
|
299,887
|
3.30%
|
| Total votes
|
9,085,145
|
100.00%
|
| Registered voters/turnout
|
28,009,715
|
32.44%
| |
| Source: National Electoral Commission |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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 referendums
The act about the referendum was passed on June 25, 1995 (Dz.U. 99, position 487 from 25.08.1995)
Subject of the referendums
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?[3]
Privatisation questions
On 21 December 1995 the Sejm passed a referendums act, in which four question were to be placed on the ballot:
- Are you in favor of fulfilling the obligations towards pensioners and disability pensioners, as well as public sector employees, arising from Constitutional Tribunal rulings, using funds from the privatized state assets?[3]
- Are you in favor of allocating part of the privatized state assets to public pension funds?[3]
- Are you in favor of increasing the value of National Investment Fund share certificates by including more enterprises in this program?[3]
- Are you in favor of including privatization vouchers in the enfranchisement program?[3]
Results
Enfranchisement
Privatisation
Question I
Question II
Question III
| 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: Dz. U. 1996 r. nr 22, poz. 101
|
Question IV
References