1996 Polish referendum


A double referendum was held in Poland on 18 February 1996. One question concerned enfranchisement, whilst the others concerned state property. The first proposition was ordered by the President, whilst the others were created on the basis of resolution made by Sejm. All except one were approved by over 90% of voters. However, voter turnout was just 32%, well below the 50% threshold required to make the results valid.

Act about the referendums

The act about the referendum was passed on 25 June 1995

Subject of the referendums

Enfranchisement question

On 29 November 1995 President of Poland Lech Wałęsa, after getting permission from Senate, mandated a referendum with the question:
  • Do you approve the enfranchisement of citizens?

Privatisation questions

On 21 December 1995 the Sejm passed a referendums act, in which four question were to be placed on the ballot:
  1. Are you in favour of fulfilling the obligations towards pensioners and disability pensioners, as well as public sector employees, arising from Constitutional Tribunal rulings, using funds from the privatised state assets?
  2. Are you in favour of allocating part of the privatised state assets to public pension funds?
  3. Are you in favour of increasing the value of National Investment Fund share certificates by including more enterprises in this programme?
  4. Are you in favour of including privatisation vouchers in the enfranchisement programme?