Slobodyan T. Transformation of the electoral system to the local self-government bodies in the Republic Poland.

Elections belong to essential factors for realization of the political rights of citizens; taking part in elections and referendums citizens participate in the administration of state affairs. Free election is one of the indicators that define democracy in any society. The issue of the day for political science is determination of basic principles, historical regularity and various mechanisms of political elections. The dissertation presents comprehensive analysis of local elections held in the Republic of Poland in the period 1999-2010. It reviews the main approaches to elucidate electoral system concept, investigates different types of electoral systems. Stages of formation of electoral system to the local self-government bodies in the Republic of Poland have been marked out. The mechanism of structural changes in the Polish political system through the prism of electoral processes has been analyzed. It was also made analytical comparison of changes that had been taken place in politico-legislative basis of elections to self-government bodies in the period from 1999 till 2010. Characteristics of local election campaigns have been described. The paper analyzes the electoral activity of citizen in elections to local self-government bodies and compares it with the activity in parliamentary and presidential elections. The results of the basic theoretical approaches of electoral systems studies were systematized. Basic backgrounds for transformation of local self-government in the Republic of Poland were determined. Electoral legislation provisions regarding the local self-government bodies before and after administrative-territorial reform have been analyzed. The positions of the political parties of the Republic of Poland as far as electoral system changes have been generalized. Analyzing works of Ukrainian and Polish researchers the dissertation shows transformation of the electoral system to the local self-government bodies in the Republic of Poland. It determines that local elections are very important for the development of local communities. Presently there is a necessity of improving the electoral legislation of Ukraine which must be based on historical national traditions but experience of other countries is to be taken into account as well. Thus the Polish experience may be useful to Ukraine in the sphere of electoral legislation and while implementing reforms of self-government bodies. The dissertation provides grounds of scientific and practical proposals with regard to improvement of electoral system to self-government bodies in Ukraine.