1922 Republic of Central Lithuania general election

The election was boycotted by non-Polish population and its results were unrecognized by either the Lithuanian government in Kaunas or the League of Nations.

[3] The League of Nations mediated the dispute and strongly advocated a plebiscite where the local population would vote to be incorporated either into Poland or Lithuania.

Poland had control of the territory and saw no reason to jeopardize the status quo,[7] especially since it had already lost two plebiscites against Germany (in East Prussia and Upper Silesia).

The territory, where elections were to take place, was carved out to maximize the number of Polish residents;[9] for example, Polish-inhabited regions of Lida and Braslaw were included while Lithuanian-inhabited areas around Druskininkai were excluded.

[10] Polish authorities formally allowed freedoms of press and of assembly, but provided up to one year in prison for campaigning against the election.

[9] However, at the same time, Jews were afraid that support of the Lithuanian cause would be interpreted to be a hostile act against Poland and could worsen their position.

As a result of electoral malpractice such as not asking for valid voter identification, noted by delegates from the League of Nations, the elections were not recognized.

[15][full citation needed] On 13 January 1922 the Council of the League of Nations issued a statement that the elected parliament was not a legal representative of the local population.

[17] Lithuania declined to accept the Polish authority over the area[18] and continued to treat the region as part of its own territory and Vilnius as its legitimate capital, with Kaunas designated only as a temporary seat of government.