Misuse of authority in parliamentary elections in 1935 and 1938 in Poland (according to archival documents)

Abstract

Introduction. In domestic and foreign historiography, there are no studies on the parliamentary elections during the period of the April constitution in Poland (1935-1939) and the activities of the authorities in their course. Materials and Methods. The study is interdisciplinary in nature. It employs the methods of historical science and related sciences. It is based on archival materials - documents of state institutions during the election period. Analysis. The misuse of authority during the election campaigns, the electoral act itself and in determining the results of the parliamentary elections of 1935 and 1938 in Poland are investigated. Central authorities gave directions to the lower ones in order to achieve a beneficial result for themselves at any cost. Results. The research shows various misuses of authority on the part of state institutions in the elections of 1935 and 1938, especially the latter. The main indicator of success - high turnout in the elections to the Sejm - was not achieved in 1935 and was significantly higher in 1938. This was achieved in part through violations of the law.

Keywords

• poland
• sanacja regime in poland
• april constitution and electoral laws
• parliamentary elections