Mąż zaufania/en

MAN OF CONFIDENCE (Polish: mąż zaufania) – in democratic institutions a person who enjoys the trust of the general public, who oversees the conduct of an assembly, elections (hereafter referred to as the general election). In Poland, a m.o.c. is a representative of a list of candidates, representing their interests during the election and during vote counts. A candidate in election or a member of the electoral commission (el.c.) cannot play the role of the m.o.c. In Polish elections and referenda, an electoral plenipotentiary of the el.c. has a right to assign one m.o.c. for each electoral district commission, if a candidate or a list of candidates from the given el.c. has been registered. M.o.c. receive from the electoral plenipotentiary of the electoral committee a certificate prepared in accordance with the National Electoral Commission, allowing entry into the rooms of electoral commission and staying at the polling place. The role of the m.o.c. is to observe the progress of elections and vote count with particular notice of potential violations of procedures. The activities of the electoral district commission can be registered by the m.o.c. with use of his own registering devices. The m.o.c. has a legal right to report observations and objections on a regular basis to the chairman of the el.c., and the right to comment on the protocols of the vote, with specific allegations. The m.o.c. cannot perform any activities of the member of the el.c., e.g., give explanations or assist the handicapped voter in voting. Performing the role of the m.o.c. cannot hinder the work of the el.c., disturb the gravity of the voting and violate its secrecy [ K.A. Kuć-Czajkowska ].