The Polish Elections The results of the elections for the
Polish Seym on Sunday may be regarded as satisfactory or unsatisfactory according to the point of view. Almost everywhere only one list of candidates, the Government's list, was put forward, the Opposition boycotting the elections for the very reason that the provisions of the Constitution of 1935 virtually place the nomination of candidates in the Government's hands. The boycott, however, seems to have been only partially effective as regards actual voting, for some 67 per cent. of the electorate went to the poll, as against about 40 per cent. in the elections of 1935. The Government, in spite of the advantage which the existing Constitution gives it, intends to revise the election- law in favour of a more liberal or democratic franchise. If that is done the Opposition parties, which include sections so different as the Right-wing Nationalists, the Socialists and the peasants, will no doubt reconsider their boycott policy. But they may not have the opportunity of voting at a Parliamentary election for another five years. Meanwhile, the local government elections, which take place before the end of the month, will give a better indication of what the respective party-strengths are.
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