Recalculate votes? Petitions after the presidential election have already gained 220,000 signatures

The second circular of presidential elections in Poland, held in June 2025, sparked a wave of social emotion and controversy. Although the State Electoral Commission has announced authoritative results, a increasing number of citizens have serious doubts about the integrity of the electoral process. In consequence to these concerns, the avaaz.org platform was launched petition calling for recalculation of all voteswho shortly gained more than 220 000 signatures.

Citizens' initiative to defend the transparency of elections

The authors of the petition, which was titled "Citizen's call for a full, recalculation of all votes", declare that their actions are motivated by concern for transparency and respect for democratic standards. The goal was initially to meet 200,000 signatures, but this figure has been rapidly exceeded – which highlights the increasing scale of social unrest.

The content of the petition highlighted that the difference between the 2 main candidates in the second circular of elections was only 369 591 votes. Across the country with millions of people voting, small marginwhich, according to the signatories, justifies the request for additional checks.

The number of invalid votes is worrying

Another key argument of petition initiators is number of invalid votesau 189 thousand. That's almost half the difference between candidates. Authors note that this scale may indicate interpretation problems, procedural errors or irregularities in the work of members of the election committees.

As the petition says:
"We feel obliged to call for a recalculation of all votes cast" – emphasize the organizers, adding that it is not only about justice, but besides about dissolving conspiracy theories and guarantee full reliability of the outcome.

Doubts surrounding the work of committees and statistical anomalies

Signatories of the petition besides mention statistical anomalies observed in data from above 3000 electoral committeeswhich, as they indicate, significantly different from the standards and may indicate errors or intentional manipulation.

Although no circumstantial location has been indicated for these committees, the authors call for detailed audit Protocols, ballot cards and consistency of records in the IT system. According to them, only a full and public vote conversion could restore social trust to the election process.

An app that creates controversy

In addition, the petition refers to media reports of illegal application, which was expected to be utilized to verify voters in the premises, and as a consequence in any cases it has led to an unauthorised refusal to issue ballots.

Although there is no confirmed information at this point about the scale of usage of this application and its impact on the result of the elections, the very fact that specified signals appear raises clear concerns. The petition organizers say that without careful examination of these cases, it is impossible to talk of the full credibility of the electoral process.

Potential legal and political implications

At this phase PKW did not formally mention to the petitionand has not announced any action to recalculate the votes. Under the law, the conversion of votes may only take place on the basis of the conditions laid down in the Electoral Code or the decision of the ultimate Court if the electoral protest is recognised.

However, it is worth noting that yes mass public support for petitions, peculiarly in the short term, may exert crucial political force on the institutions liable for controlling the regularity of the electoral process. In case of actual irregularities, theoretically a decision to cancel the consequence in part of the circuit would be possible, and in utmost cases – even across the country, although this would be an unprecedented scenario.

Social mobilisation and democratic expectations

Petition is besides an expression growing civic awareness and mobilisation in democratic matters. The fact that so many people have decided to sign the call to convert votes, demonstrates the importance society attaches to the transparency and integrity of the electoral process.

This phenomenon can affect not only the current political context, but besides future elections – both organisationally and in social control.

What's next?

In accordance with the applicable rules, further steps may include:

• State Election Commission – if it recognises the legitimacy of social demands;
• Supreme Courtwho examines election protests and may order re-votes in circumstantial circuits;
• Social and civilian organisationswhich may require access to electoral documents;
• Public Opinions and Mediawhich have the possible to exert information pressure.

For now. it is not known whether the petition will lead to a formal conversion of votesBut 1 thing is certain: The subject will not shortly vanish from the public debate, and its improvement can have crucial consequences for both the government and the full democratic strategy in Poland.