On the election system from the perspective of the experience of the National Electoral Commission member

I had been working in the National Electoral Commission as its member between 1995 and 2003, hence the experience from that period allows forming conclusions de lege ferenda concerning constitutional system foundations of this very substantial organ, which the National Electoral Commission undoubtedly is, in democratic state of law. The conclusions which were formed in the mentioned period by the managerial bodies of the National Electoral Commission, and have not only remained up-to-date, but are also the evidence of perspicacity and wisdom of the individuals who were forming them while working on the project of the new Polish Constitution. At that time I was holding simultaneously the post of a judge of the Supreme Administrative Court and a membership of the National Electoral Commission. The function of the head of the National Electoral Commission was held subsequently by Judge Wojciech Łączkowski and Judge Ferdynand Rymarz. Both Gentlemen were the judges of the Constitutional Tribunal, highly competent lawyers, and individuals of noble personalities. These in particular made the atmosphere of work in the nine-person panel of the National Electoral Commission filled with the sense of responsibility for taking, frequently hard, decisions. It was them who should take merit for the fact that in those days the National Electoral Commission was perceived as the undisputable authority in the society, as well as government and political circles. Recalling the atmosphere of work and the high level of the matter of state discussions during meetings of the National Electoral Commission its head at that time, Judge Ferdynand Rymarz, wrote,” The head of the National Electoral Commission was but a primus inter pares (the first amongst the equals) and his vote was formally and actually equal with the other members`. I held strictly to this rule and did not impose my views on the others. In discussions I presented my opinion as the last one”1. Such a distance towards so eminent a state post, branded with the sense of personal dignity and responsibility, was a characteristic feature of the heads of the National Electoral Commission, who acting this way were role models of ethics and morality worth being followed. On October 3, 1995, at a meeting of the National Electoral Commission an MP Irena Lipowicz