The turnout in Poland's general election was probably the highest since the fall of communism in 1989, the head of the National Electoral Commission (PKW) said on Sunday (Oct. 15), after Ipsos exit poll put it at 72.9%.
According to Ipsos exit poll released after Poland's parliamentary election on Sunday (Oct. 15), democratic opposition stands a chance to form a ruling coalition with 248 seats in the Sejm.
If the final result of the vote matches the exit poll, the ruling Law and Justice party would win the highest number of seats in the lower house of parliament - 200, while Civic Coalition - 163.
Three more would have their MPs in the new Sejm: Third Way, New Left, and Confederation.
According to Ipsos, the voter turnout was 72.9%.
Reflecting mounting discontent in the former Soviet bloc country over democratic backsliding and an erosion of women's rights on one hand and the cost of living on the other, turnout appeared to reach the highest level since the collapse of communism in 1989.
Many voters from Warsaw, where Civic Coalition usually wins, traveled to PiS-supporting towns outside the capital to cast votes.
Broadcasters showed long queues still forming outside some voting stations even after the election had officially ended.
"The turnout is probably the highest in the history of the third Republic," PKW chairperson Sylwester Marciniak told a news conference.
He added that the previous record voter turnout in Polish parliamentary elections - 62.5% - had taken place on June 4, 1989.
Źródło: TVN24 News in English, Reuters, PAP