Residents of Częstochowa are voting Sunday, Oct. 25, in a referendum on whether to recall Mayor Krzysztof Matyjaszczyk and the city council. Polling stations are open until 9 p.m.
The referendum’s initiators argue that Matyjaszczyk should not run the city because prosecutors have brought corruption charges against him. The mayor, a politician with the Left (Lewica) party, is barred from performing his duties and from entering City Hall. The organizers also point to the lack of a stadium for Raków Częstochowa, the city’s soccer club, and the absence of major investors. They accuse the city council, where the Left and the Civic Coalition (Koalicja Obywatelska) hold the majority, of inaction.
More than 158,000 residents are eligible to vote. For the referendum on the mayor to be valid, at least 46,625 people must cast ballots, which is 3/5 of the number who voted in the second round of the city’s mayoral election. For the vote on the council, the threshold is 48,754 votes.
Voting is taking place in 135 precincts. Official results are expected overnight from Sunday to Monday or on Monday morning. A referendum silence period is in effect until polling stations close.
Source: RMF FM, Polsat News
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