Poland approves controversial rules on local elections

Poland’s lawmakers have approved controversial new rules for local elections, that critics say will undermine the independence of the country’s electoral bodies, AP reports. Parliament voted on Thursday to approve the ruling party’s changes to electoral laws, and changes to the State Electoral Commission, ahead of local elections next year. Opposition lawmakers say the fairness of elections may now be seen as questionable. Under the new rules, lawmakers will choose seven out of the nine electoral commission members, while the interior minister will appoint election supervisors. The bill needs the Polish Senate’s and President Andrzej Duda’s approval.