The sense of civic activity and the necessity to participate in the election of the lowest level of government is considerable and depends on the level of human development. The regression line tilted to the right indicates that more people vote in local elections in the regions with a lower level of human development. The coefficient of the linear correlation between the voter turnout in the local elections and LHDI is -0.518. The correlation is negative and moderately strong. Involvement at the local level seems to be higher in poorer regions than in richer regions. It must be also pointed out that there is a significant difference connected with strategic choices, related to being directly familiar with the local political scene in the rural counties, especially in the rural municipalities, as opposed to urban counties. In smaller towns and in the countryside it is also more possible that a voter will personally know potential candidates and the voters may have the impression that their votes might influence more directly the authorities in direct elections. Additional factors explaining a better turnout in rural areas include: a lower level of party-dependency in the local elections, more diligent voters/being used to voting, a larger share of elderly people who generally care more about elections than the general population. Local authorities play a key role when it comes to the redistribution of basic goods and services (Dragu & Rodden 2011). In Poland, particularly important are the tasks of municipalities, related to allocation of the means from social welfare and employment opportunities in their offices. The projects implemented by municipalities are also much more visible to an average citizen. Greater commitment to voting in counties with lower levels of human development is therefore not surprising. It can be explained by rational strategic choices and the perception of a larger impact on the local authorities of a local community.
5.5 Digital engagement Digital transformation is now one of the key drivers of Polish modernisation. The popularisation of Internet technology has the opportunity to radically change the way business and administration operate, and to engage citizens in the democratic process (Batorski et al. 2012) as well as help in reducing the development disparities on a national level and between cities and the periphery (Zerka 2012a). One of the key factors for inadequate use of digital technology in Poland is relatively low GDP per capita, which translates into opportunities for investment in ICT (Information and Communication Technologies), and still a low level of digital literacy (Zerka 2012b). However, regardless of this factor and of the problems associated with the availability of infrastructure, the current level of Internet use is affected by low skills, needs and motivations (Batorski & Płoszaj 2012). It results from the absence of effective mechanisms to build a system of digital literacy in formal and informal education (Ministerstwo Administracji i Cyfryzacji 2012) and the deficit of relevant content and services tailored to the needs of existing and potential users. People from small towns and villages have problems with access to the official circulation of culture and cultural heritage because of the lack of shops and institutions in their vicinity, which is offset by access to the Internet (Filiciak et al. 2012). Many people, however, do not see any reason to use the Internet and other digital technologies - even if they have access to them. The role of the state is developing tools to stimulate the demand for digital services on the one hand, and the supply on the other hand, taking into account the practices of those already involved in the digital society (Hofmokl et al. 2011). For them, the Internet has become an everyday tool for performing duties at home or work, and a way to spend free time. They use intermediary services for purchases and non-commercial exchange on the Internet; they read the news updated around the clock on an on-going basis; they watch movies and other audio-visual content (including TV programmes) that are available to them, regardless of time, place or type of the receiver. For this part of the population connected to the Internet,
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