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UK's Poles casting election votes UK's Poles casting election votes
(about 6 hours later)
Special polling booths have been set up across the UK to enable its Polish community to cast votes in Poland's general election throughout the day.Special polling booths have been set up across the UK to enable its Polish community to cast votes in Poland's general election throughout the day.
Poland's three leading parties consider the support of UK-based Poles to be crucial if they are to win power.Poland's three leading parties consider the support of UK-based Poles to be crucial if they are to win power.
Poles can vote in 23 places across the UK, compared with two in the 2005 election. Peterborough and Hammersmith, west London, are among voting sites.Poles can vote in 23 places across the UK, compared with two in the 2005 election. Peterborough and Hammersmith, west London, are among voting sites.
Unofficial estimates suggest more than a million Poles now live in the UK.Unofficial estimates suggest more than a million Poles now live in the UK.
The effect has been marked, with Polish food being sold in some supermarkets, for example.The effect has been marked, with Polish food being sold in some supermarkets, for example.
Earlier this month, representatives of the main political parties in Poland came to the UK to lobby for votes.Earlier this month, representatives of the main political parties in Poland came to the UK to lobby for votes.
Narrow marginNarrow margin
Provided voters have already registered, the Polish consul general to London says nobody should have to travel more than 80 miles to cast a vote. Registration took place months in advance.Provided voters have already registered, the Polish consul general to London says nobody should have to travel more than 80 miles to cast a vote. Registration took place months in advance.
POLISH VOTING VENUES Four locations in LondonCardiff, BelfastGlasgow, Edinburgh, InvernessNewcastle, Manchester, Bristol, Southampton
Polish Radio London believes there could be 700,000 people eligible to vote in the London area alone.Polish Radio London believes there could be 700,000 people eligible to vote in the London area alone.
During the last poll, in 2005, the Law and Justice party won with 350,000 votes.During the last poll, in 2005, the Law and Justice party won with 350,000 votes.
The Polish Cultural Centre, in Hammersmith, is likely to be a focal point for many voters based in London.The Polish Cultural Centre, in Hammersmith, is likely to be a focal point for many voters based in London.
Votes can also be cast at Peterborough's Polish Club.Votes can also be cast at Peterborough's Polish Club.
Before Poland joined the EU in 2004, some 3,000 Polish people lived in the city. That figure has since risen to about 20,000.Before Poland joined the EU in 2004, some 3,000 Polish people lived in the city. That figure has since risen to about 20,000.
Anti-corruption driveAnti-corruption drive
Voting will also be taking place in Poland, in an election that will be closely watched across Europe.Voting will also be taking place in Poland, in an election that will be closely watched across Europe.
The current government, led by Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski, has antagonised neighbours Germany and Russia over the loses it suffered in World War II and under communist rule.The current government, led by Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski, has antagonised neighbours Germany and Russia over the loses it suffered in World War II and under communist rule.
The opposition Civic Platform Party has been ahead in the opinion polls and says that the government's anti-corruption drive and reactionary rhetoric mask a failure to embrace economic reform.The opposition Civic Platform Party has been ahead in the opinion polls and says that the government's anti-corruption drive and reactionary rhetoric mask a failure to embrace economic reform.
But the BBC's Jonny Dymond, in Warsaw, says that while the urban young and liberal bitterly oppose Mr Kaczynski, he has significant support, not just among the rural poor, but also in a swathe of the electorate hostile to the pace and direction of change in Poland.But the BBC's Jonny Dymond, in Warsaw, says that while the urban young and liberal bitterly oppose Mr Kaczynski, he has significant support, not just among the rural poor, but also in a swathe of the electorate hostile to the pace and direction of change in Poland.