Poles vote in election as right-wing party seeks third term

The Law and Justice party is seeking a third term in government (Michal Dyjuk/AP)

Poland was holding a high-stakes election on Sunday that has energised many voters, with the ruling conservative nationalist party pitted against opposition groups that accuse it of eroding the foundations of the democratic system.

The ruling party, Law and Justice, has a devoted base of supporters in the Central European nation of 38 million who appreciate its defence of Catholic traditions and its social spending on pensioners and families with children. The payments have given relief to poor people.