Polish parliament backs law allowing election to be held by postal ballot

The Polish lower house of parliament, the Sejm, approved on Thursday government-sponsored legislation that would allow the country's presidential election to go ahead by postal ballot, according to voting records.

The presidential election was scheduled to take place on Sunday. The ruling party wants to hold it by postal ballot due to the coronavirus pandemic, a plan opposition parties strongly oppose, saying the election would not be transparent or fair.

Although lawmakers have now approved in principle a postal ballot, the deputy prime minister said earlier on Thursday that June was now the earliest date that the election could be held.