1997 Polish constitutional referendum

A constitutional referendum was held in Poland on 25 May 1997.^[1] Voters were asked whether they approved of a new constitution. It was narrowly approved, with 53% voting in favour.^[2] Voter turnout was 43%,^[2] below the 50% required by the 1995 Referendum Act to validate the referendum. However, the Supreme Court ruled on 15 July that the 1992 'small' constitution (which did not contain turnout requirements) took precedence over the Referendum Act and that the constitution could be introduced.

1997 Polish constitutional referendum

25 May 1997 (1997-05-25)
Do you approve the Constitution of the Republic of Poland, passed by the National Assembly on 2 April 1997?
Results
Choice Votes  % Yes 6,396,641 53.45% No 5,570,493 46.55% Valid votes 11,967,134 98.60% Invalid or blank votes 170,002 1.40% Total votes 12,137,136 100.00% Registered voters/turnout 28,319,650 42.86%
Results by voivodeship

Question

Do you approve the Constitution of the Republic of Poland, passed by the National Assembly on 2 April 1997?

Results

Choice		Votes	%
For		6,396,641	53.45
Against		5,570,493	46.55
Total		11,967,134	100.00
Valid votes		11,967,134	98.60
Invalid/blank votes		170,002	1.40
Total votes		12,137,136	100.00
Registered voters/turnout		28,319,650	42.86
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

References

1. Dieter Nohlen & Phillip Stöver (2010) Elections in Europe: A data handbook, p1491 ISBN 978-3-8329-5609-7
2. Nohlen & Stöver, p1499