Poland changes law to boost turnout at EU vote

Polish legislators drafted eleventh-hour changes to electoral laws yesterday to try to increase turnout at a June referendum on European Union membership.

Opinion polls put support for EU membership at 70 per cent among those planning to vote in the June 7-8 referendum, but indicate that turnout could fall short of the 50 per cent needed to make the vote valid.

That result would require the fractious parliament to ratify accession by a two-thirds majority, a process that could lead to political horse-trading and further weaken the left-wing minority government.

The proposed amendment, expected to be approved this week, would allow the Electoral Commission to disclose turnout after the first day of the referendum, potentially mobilising voters to show up on the second day.

"It would be irrational if public opinion had no idea about estimated turnout after the first day," said Jerzy Jaskiernia, a senior deputy of the ruling Democratic Left Alliance.

After parliament opted to hold a two-day referendum, the Electoral Commission ruled last month that publishing early turnout figures would violate election rules.

Financial markets are betting on smooth EU accession by Poland - the largest of 10 mostly eastern European countries invited to join the bloc in a year's time. Any hiccups could spark a sell-off in zloty assets.

Malta, Slovenia and Hungary have already approved EU membership in national referendums. Slovakia, Lithuania and Latvia also need a 50 per cent turnout for their votes to count.