IRELAND: Only a small percentage of Polish people living in Ireland are expected to vote in their home country's presidential election on Sunday.
Up to 100,000 people thought to be living around the country are eligible to vote in the second round of the Polish presidential elections, but only 2,300 people have registered with the embassy. Eligible voters were required to register in advance of the first round of elections.
Some 1,584 people visited the embassy in Dublin to cast their vote in the first round of the elections earlier this month, joining almost 53,000 compatriots around the world who were taking part in elections while away from home.
The Polish embassy, on Ailesbury Road in Ballsbridge, will be open from 6am to 8pm on Sunday to facilitate voters.
According to the Polish consul in Dublin, Margorzata Kozik, the biggest influx of voters is expected in the evening.
"People usually start coming about midday, but in the evening after work is the biggest crowd, they work even on Sundays," she said. "People will require documents - a passport or a Polish national ID card, to make sure that no one votes more than once."
The embassy advertised in the Polish press and on its website to highlight the election. It says the small numbers registered may be down to the fact that people working outside the capital would have to travel to vote.
"We have only one [ polling] station in Ireland and so it is very difficult for people to come," Ms Kozik said.
Apathy may also play its part in keeping the numbers away.
"Some people are a bit tired of the elections, they are fed up with politics. Also sometimes when people move abroad they distance themselves from what is going on in their country," she said.
"But there is a big group who are very enthusiastic and emotional and want to vote, just like at home."
