Lawmakers in Poland have voted in favour of conducting the country’s upcoming May 10 presidential elections exclusively by postal voting, making it the only European country to go through with its national elections despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

The lower house made this decision on Monday after speculations surrounding the chances of an election in the presence of accelerating infections and strict containment measures that had made a regular poll voting system highly unlikely.

Opposition Parties Call for a State of Emergency

Opposition candidates who have halted campaigning amidst growing concerns surrounding the virus had called for the government to postpone the elections and focus solely on keeping the country’s economy afloat while laying down effective measures to address the global pandemic. The main opposition party, Civic Platform, had earlier called on the government to declare a state of emergency which would result in a delay of the elections.

Describing the elections as undemocratic, the opposition has noted that while incumbent President Andrzej Duda who is seeking a second five-year term is currently benefiting from media coverage despite the pandemic, the government-decreed shutdown leaves opposing candidates at a disadvantage as they are unable to travel or campaign to the nation of over 38 million residents.

Discord in Ruling Party and Ulterior Motives

The decision by the lower house in Poland on Monday comes after the resignation of Deputy Prime Minister, Jaroslaw Gowin, who had failed to convince the ruling, Law & Justice party to delay the elections until things return to normal. While Gowin has maintained his support for the party and Duda he has, however, described the recent announcement and upcoming elections as irresponsible.

Although Duda has indicated that he is open to postponing the vote in Poland if the pandemic persists, his party has a different standpoint, insisting that the election timeline be maintained as dictated by the constitution.

Is Poland for Mail Voting?

With May 10 almost a month away, Poland’s preparedness for a strict mail-voting only election remains a pertinent question as 30 million registered voters get ready to make a defining decision.