A constitutional referendum was held in Poland on 25 May 1997.Dieter Nohlen & Phillip Stöver (2010) Elections in Europe: A data handbook, p1491 It was decreed by then-President Aleksander Kwaśniewski on the day the National Assembly adopted the Constitution. Voters were asked whether they approved of a new constitution, and replace the temporary constitution from 1992. It was narrowly approved, with 53.45% voting in favour.Nohlen & Stöver, p1499 Voter turnout was 43%, below the 50% required by the 1995 Referendum Act to validate the referendum. However, the Supreme Court ruled on 15 July that the 1992 'small' constitution (which did not contain turnout requirements) took precedence over the Referendum Act and that the constitution could be introduced.
Question
Ballot The text (translated from Polish) on the paper ballot was as follows:
Ballot paper in the constitutional referendum ordered by the President of the Republic of Poland for May 25, 1997.
Question:
Are you in favor of the adoption of the Constitution of the Republic of Poland passed by the National Assembly on April 2, 1997?
☐ YES ☐ NO
Instructions on how to vote
The voter answers the question by placing a mark in the box next to the answer “YES” or “NO” in the form of two intersecting lines (“x” or “+”) within the box.
Placing a mark in both boxes or not placing a mark in any box will result in the vote being invalid.
place for the seal
of the district commission
for referendum matters
printed imprint
of the National
Electoral Commission seal
Results
References