electrolytic cell for the production of alkali metal or alkaline earth metal chlorate from the corresponding chlorides , which cell is constructed from a plurality of cells connected in series , whereby all electrodes except the terminal electrodes are bipolar and designed with a vertical base plate , having one side functioning as anode in one cell unit and the other side functioning as cathode in an adjacent cell unit and whereby the exterior sides of the terminal electrodes have electrical connections for the cell row while the sides turned inwards and both sides of the base plates on the other electrodes have a number of vertical electrode plates , fitted essentially at right angles to the base plates , and whereby the base plates are positioned in such a manner that the electrode plates of adjacent base plates are interleaved between each other , without direct electrical contact between themselves , forming an electrode package of electrode plates . a housing encloses the cell row so that spaces for electrolyte flow are formed below , at the sides of and above the electrode packages , whereby the space above these is larger than the others and forms a flow space in which the essential part of the disproportionation reaction of the chlorate can take place .