Piotr Wawrzyk told a news conference on Monday that the number of those wanting to vote abroad was about 100,000 higher than in Poland’s previous presidential election five years ago.
He also said that about 40,000 new voters were registering every day.
A total of 169 voting districts will be created abroad for Poland’s June 28 election, following a decision by Polish Foreign Minister Jacek Czaputowicz, state news agency PAP reported.
It added that in 74 of these districts, Polish citizens will only be able to vote by postal ballot.
Wawrzyk told reporters that Polish absentee voters in countries such as the United States, Britain and Germany would have no other option but vote by mail, following decisions by local authorities.
Those decisions were beyond the Polish foreign ministry's control, he said.
Wawrzyk added that Polish citizens living in countries including Venezuela, Peru and Kuwait would be unable to cast their votes in the upcoming national election after authorities in those countries denied permission for voting procedures amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Eleven contenders are running in Poland’s presidential election, which is scheduled for Sunday, June 28.
If none of the candidates wins more than 50 percent the vote, under Polish election rules a second round will be held two weeks later, on July 12.
Under a set of rules approved by parliament and signed into law earlier this month, the election will be conducted via a mixed system of postal and traditional in-person voting.
Citizens who want to vote by postal ballot have to inform officials by June 16. Those who aim to vote by mail abroad had until June 15 to notify a consul.
Conservative incumbent Andrzej Duda, who has been president since 2015, is seeking re-election and appears to be the front-runner in the race.
Duda’s rivals in the presidential race include middle-of-the-road politician Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, leader of the rural-based Polish People’s Party (PSL); leftist Robert Biedroń; far-right hopeful Krzysztof Bosak; and celebrity journalist Szymon Hołownia.
Poland's main opposition party, the centrist Civic Platform (PO), in mid-May chose Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski as its new pick for head of state to replace deputy parliamentary Speaker Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska.
The Polish presidential vote was originally scheduled for May 10, but failed to go ahead amid the coronavirus pandemic.
(gs/pk)
Source: PAP