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Apathy fears ahead of Polish vote Apathy fears ahead of Polish vote
(10 minutes later)
One of Poland's leading newspapers has highlighted concerns about voter apathy ahead of parliamentary polls on Sunday.One of Poland's leading newspapers has highlighted concerns about voter apathy ahead of parliamentary polls on Sunday.
Much of the front page of the Gazeta Wyborcza was left blank, in a symbolic representation of the 60% of voters who failed to turn out two years ago.Much of the front page of the Gazeta Wyborcza was left blank, in a symbolic representation of the 60% of voters who failed to turn out two years ago.
Poles feel "disappointed by democracy", one young activist told the BBC, following the end of communist rule.Poles feel "disappointed by democracy", one young activist told the BBC, following the end of communist rule.
In Sunday's election, the ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party will confront the opposition Civic Platform (PO).In Sunday's election, the ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party will confront the opposition Civic Platform (PO).
The poll was called two years early due to the collapse of the PiS ruling coalition.The poll was called two years early due to the collapse of the PiS ruling coalition.
Poland's system of proportional representation has led to a succession of unstable and unhappy coalitions taking office since Poles won back the right to vote 18 years ago, says the BBC's Adam Easton in Warsaw.Poland's system of proportional representation has led to a succession of unstable and unhappy coalitions taking office since Poles won back the right to vote 18 years ago, says the BBC's Adam Easton in Warsaw.
That has fuelled voter despondency, particularly among young voters, he says.That has fuelled voter despondency, particularly among young voters, he says.
Last pledgesLast pledges
Poles go to the ballot box a deeply polarised nation, our correspondent says, over the premiership of Jaroslaw Kaczynski of the PiS - whose twin, Lech, is president of Poland.Poles go to the ballot box a deeply polarised nation, our correspondent says, over the premiership of Jaroslaw Kaczynski of the PiS - whose twin, Lech, is president of Poland.
Politicians made their last appeals to voters on Friday, before a campaign ban came into effect at midnight.Politicians made their last appeals to voters on Friday, before a campaign ban came into effect at midnight.
Democracy is OK, but no one explained what democracy is about Marta Poslad"Although we ran up against great resistance, and it wasn't easy, we were able to do a lot," said Prime Minister Kaczynski. Democracy is okay, but no one explained what democracy is about Marta Poslad"Although we ran up against great resistance, and it wasn't easy, we were able to do a lot," said Prime Minister Kaczynski.
"I know that we made mistakes, I'm sorry, but nobody can accuse me or my colleagues of being insensitive to the fate of normal people," he was quoted by Associated Press as saying."I know that we made mistakes, I'm sorry, but nobody can accuse me or my colleagues of being insensitive to the fate of normal people," he was quoted by Associated Press as saying.
Mr Kaczynski - a social conservative and nationalist - hailed economic growth, the fight against corruption, and tough negotiating tactics with the European Union as achievements of his party's two years in office.Mr Kaczynski - a social conservative and nationalist - hailed economic growth, the fight against corruption, and tough negotiating tactics with the European Union as achievements of his party's two years in office.
But Donald Tusk of the main opposition PO party criticised the incumbents' focus on corruption and rooting out former communists.But Donald Tusk of the main opposition PO party criticised the incumbents' focus on corruption and rooting out former communists.
"They would rather take revenge and look for the guilty," Mr Tusk said in a broadcast, according to Reuters news agency."They would rather take revenge and look for the guilty," Mr Tusk said in a broadcast, according to Reuters news agency.
"Because it's easier to find the guilty than to change something for the better. We believe in an economic miracle," he said."Because it's easier to find the guilty than to change something for the better. We believe in an economic miracle," he said.
The centre-right PO has promised to lower taxes, pursue pro-market economics and better relations with the EU, and withdraw Poland's 900 troops from Iraq.The centre-right PO has promised to lower taxes, pursue pro-market economics and better relations with the EU, and withdraw Poland's 900 troops from Iraq.
Also in the running are the pro-EU Polish Peasants' Party (PSL) and the Left and Democrats (LiD), an alliance which includes ex-communists.Also in the running are the pro-EU Polish Peasants' Party (PSL) and the Left and Democrats (LiD), an alliance which includes ex-communists.
Democracy in questionDemocracy in question
Dozens of civic initiatives have been set up to try to stimulate voter participation - including I Elect, which recently held a special election night in Warsaw.Dozens of civic initiatives have been set up to try to stimulate voter participation - including I Elect, which recently held a special election night in Warsaw.
"Some people just feel disappointed by democracy," explained 21-year-old Marta Poslad."Some people just feel disappointed by democracy," explained 21-year-old Marta Poslad.
"I think that has been the fault of the Polish government since the Communist collapse. Nobody cares about civic education. Democracy is okay, but no-one explained what democracy is about.""I think that has been the fault of the Polish government since the Communist collapse. Nobody cares about civic education. Democracy is okay, but no-one explained what democracy is about."
Most surveys agree voter turnout will be up, our correspondent says, but most still suggest up to half of the electorate will not turn out.Most surveys agree voter turnout will be up, our correspondent says, but most still suggest up to half of the electorate will not turn out.
The number of Poles who have registered to vote abroad is almost four times higher than for the last election, at 180,000.The number of Poles who have registered to vote abroad is almost four times higher than for the last election, at 180,000.