Info
Boundary Delimitation
BD001
Delimitation of constituencies
Question: Are constituencies delimited for election purposes?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: Article 7: (1) Latvia shall be divided into five constituencies for the Saeima elections: 1) Riga, 2) Vidzeme, 3) Latgale, 4) Kurzeme, 5) Zemgale.
Source: Electoral Law: The Saeima Election Law as in force on 19 July 2014: http://cvk.lv/pub/public/30870.html?doc_print=1
Verified: 2014/10/09
BD003
Criteria for drawing boundaries
Question: On what criteria are the boundaries drawn?
Answer(s):
e . Geographic size of district g . Other
Comments: Article 7: (1)Latvia shall be divided into five constituencies for the Saeima elections:1) Riga,2) Vidzeme,2) Latgale,4) Kurzeme,5) Zemgale.
(2) The Riga constituency shall include the city of Riga;
The Vidzeme constituency shall include the Adazi, Aloja, Aluksne, Amata, Ape, Babite, Baldone, Beverina, Burtnieki, Carnikava, Cesis, Cesvaine, Ergli, Garkalne, Gulbene, Ikskile, Incukalns, Jaunpiebalga, Koceni, Krimulda, Kegums, Kekava, Lielvarde, Ligatne, Limbazi, Lubana, Madona, Malpils, Marupe, Mazsalaca, Naukseni, Ogre, Olaine, Pargauja, Priekuli, Rauna, Ropazi, Rujiena, Salacgriva, Salaspils, Saulkrasti, Seja, Sigulda, Smiltene, Stopini, Strenci, Valka, Varaklani, Vecpiebalga municipality, the city of Jurmala and the city of Valmiera;
The Latgale constituency shall include the Aglona, Baltinava, Balvi, Cibla, Dagda, Daugavpils, Ilukste, Karsava, Kraslava, Livani, Ludza, Preili, Rezekne, Riebiņu, Rugaji, Varkava, Vilaka, Vilani, Zilupe municipality, the city of Daugavpils and the city of Rezekne;
The Kurzeme constituency shall include the Aizpute, Alsunga, Broceni, Dundaga, Durbe, Grobina, Kuldigas, Nica, Pavilosta, Priekule, Roja, Rucava, Saldus, Skrunda, Talsi, Vainode, Ventspils municipality, the city of Liepaja and the city of Ventspils;
The Zemgale constituency shall include the Aizkraukle, Akniste, Auce, Bauska, Dobele, Engure, Iecava, Jaunjelgava, Jaunpils, Jekabpils, Jelgava, Kandava, Koknese, Krustpils, Nereta, Ozolnieki, Plavinas, Rundale, Sala, Skriveri, Tervete, Tukums, Vecumnieki, Viesite municipality, the city of Jelgava and the city of Jekabpils
Source: Electoral Law: The Saeima Election Law as in force on 19 July 2014: http://cvk.lv/pub/public/30870.html?doc_print=1
Verified: 2014/10/09
BD005
Body responsible for drawing boundaries
Question: The body responsible for drawing the boundaries is:
Answer(s):
a . Legislature (1st chamber)
Comments: The boundaries are determined in the Saeima Election Law which is adopted by the Saeima as the legislative body of the Republic of Latvia.
Source: Electoral Law: The Saeima Election Law as in force on 19 July 2014: http://cvk.lv/pub/public/30870.html?doc_print=1 (2014)
Constitution: The Constitution of the Republic of Latvia as amended on 8 April 2009, art. 64: http://legislationline.org/download/action/download/id/4777/file/Latvia_Constitution_am2009_en.pdf (2014)
Verified: 2014/10/09
Electoral Systems
ES001
Head of State
Question: How is the Head of State selected?
Answer(s):
d . Indirectly elected by legislature
Comments: Article 35. The Saeima shall elect the President for a term of four years.
Article 36. The President shall be elected by secret ballot with a majority of the votes of not less than fifty-one members of the Saeima.
Source: Constitution: The Constitution of the Republic of Latvia as amended on 8 April 2009, art. 35-36: http://legislationline.org/download/action/download/id/4777/file/Latvia_Constitution_am2009_en.pdf (2014)
Verified: 2022/09/12
ES002
Head of Government
Question: How is the Head of Government selected?
Answer:
e . Appointed
Comments: Article 55. The Cabinet shall be composed of the Prime Minister and the Ministers chosen by the Prime Minister.
Article 56. The Cabinet shall be formed by the person who has been invited by the President to do so.
Source: Constitution: The Constitution of the Republic of Latvia as amended on 8 April 2009, art. 55-56: http://legislationline.org/download/action/download/id/4777/file/Latvia_Constitution_am2009_en.pdf (2014)
Verified: 2022/09/12
ES003
President
Question: Does the country have a president?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments:
Source: Constitution: The Constitution of the Republic of Latvia as amended on 8 April 2009, art. 35-54: http://legislationline.org/download/action/download/id/4777/file/Latvia_Constitution_am2009_en.pdf (2014)
Verified: 2022/09/12
ES004
Number of Chambers
Question: The national legislature consists of (one/two chambers):
Answer:
a . One chamber
Comments: Article 5. The Saeima shall be composed of one hundred representatives of the people.
Source: Constitution: The Constitution of the Republic of Latvia as amended on 8 April 2009, art. 5 & 64: http://legislationline.org/download/action/download/id/4777/file/Latvia_Constitution_am2009_en.pdf (2014)
Verified: 2022/09/12
ES005
Electoral System (Chamber 1)
Question: What is the electoral system for Chamber 1 of the national legislature?
Answer(s):
g . List Proportional Representation
Comments: Article 6. The Saeima shall be elected in general, equal and direct elections, and by secret ballot based on proportional representation.
Article 7. In the division of Latvia into separate electoral districts, provision for the number of members of the Saeima to be elected from each district shall be proportional to the number of electors in each district.
Source: Constitution: The Constitution of the Republic of Latvia as amended on 8 April 2009, art. 6-7: http://legislationline.org/download/action/download/id/4777/file/Latvia_Constitution_am2009_en.pdf (2014)
Verified: 2022/09/12
Legislative Framework
LF001
Status of Electoral Law
Question: What is the status of the electoral law governing national elections?
Answer(s):
a . Part of Constitution b . Separate legislation d . Regulations or administrative rules
Comments:
Source: Electoral Law: The Saeima Election Law as in force on 19 July 2014: http://cvk.lv/pub/public/30870.html?doc_print=1 (2014)
Constitution: The Constitution of the Republic of Latvia as amended on 8 April 2009: http://legislationline.org/download/action/download/id/4777/file/Latvia_Constitution_am2009_en.pdf (2014)
Electoral Law: The Election Law On City and Town Councils, District Councils and Pagasts Councils as amended in 2004
Law: Voters’ Register Law, adopted on January 22, 2004.
Law: Law on the Central Election Commission as amended on 6 May 2010.
Instruction on counting of votes in the Saeima election (3 June 2010), amended on 2 October 2010.
Instruction on operation of the polling station commissions during the Saeima elections (3 June 2010).
Verified: 2014/10/09
LF003
Electoral Law covers
Question: The national electoral law covers:
Answer(s):
a . National elections b . Regional elections c . Local elections
Comments: Separate laws cover different elections.
Source: Electoral Law: The Saeima Election Law as in force on 19 July 2014: http://cvk.lv/pub/public/30870.html?doc_print=1 (2014)
Electoral Law: The Election Law On City and Town Councils, District Councils and Pagasts Councils as amended in 2004.
Electoral Law: Law on Elections to the European Parliament as amended on 30 October 2008.
Verified: 2014/10/09
LF004
Compulsory/voluntary voting
Question: Is voting on the national level voluntary or compulsory?
Answer(s):
a . Voting is voluntary
Comments: Voting is a right, not a duty.
Article 1: Citizens of Latvia who have reached the age of 18 by Election Day have the right to vote unless any of the restrictions specified in Article 2 of this Law apply.
Source: Electoral Law: The Saeima Election Law as in force on 19 July 2014, art. 1: http://cvk.lv/pub/public/30870.html?doc_print=1 (2014)
Verified: 2014/10/09
LF007
Electoral Disputes Agency(ies)
Question: What are the agency(ies) responsible for the first level of formal electoral disputes?
Answer(s):
b . EMB
Comments: Electoral Law: Article 351: (1)The submitters of candidate lists have the righto read the vote-counting minutes and contest these minutes by presenting their objections to the Central Election Commission within three days after the election results, as recorded in the vote-counting minutes, have been approved. The Central Election Commission shall examine the complaint and take a decision within three days.
Law: Article 6: The Central Election Commission shall: (71) check election results in specific constituencies or polling stations on the basis of received complaints or on its own initiative;
(8) review complaints and proposals regarding the decisions and work of other election commissions and annul their unlawful decisions;
Source: Electoral Law: The Saeima Election Law as in force on 19 July 2014, art. 351 (1): http://cvk.lv/pub/public/30870.html?doc_print=1 (2014)
Law: Law on the Central Election Commission as amended on 6 May 2010, art. 6(71) & (8).
Verified: 2014/10/09
Electoral Management
EM002
Responsibility of national EMB
Question: Does the national electoral body have the responsibility for elections at:
Answer(s):
a . National level b . Regional level c . Local level
Comments: Article 1: Not later than six months after its convening, the Saeima shall establish a Central Election Commission as a permanently functioning public institution for the preparation and conducting of the Saeima elections, the European Parliament elections, City Council and Municipality Council elections, as well as a national referendum and initiation of legislation.
Source: Law: Law on the Central Election Commission as amended on 6 May 2010, art. 1: http://cvk.lv/pub/public/28127.html (2014)
Verified: 2014/10/09
EM004
EMB budget determined by
Question: The budget of the national electoral management body is determined by:
Answer(s):
c . The legislature
Comments: Electoral Law: Article 53: Costs arising from the preparation and holding of the elections shall be covered from the state budget.
Constitution: Article 66. Annually, before the commencement of each financial year, the Saeima shall determine the State Revenues and Expenditures Budget, the draft of which shall be submitted to the Saeima by the Cabinet.
Source: Electoral Law: The Saeima Election Law as in force on 19 July 2014, art. 53: http://cvk.lv/pub/public/30870.html?doc_print=1 (2014)
Constitution: The Constitution of the Republic of Latvia as amended on 8 April 2009, art. 66: http://legislationline.org/download/action/download/id/4777/file/Latvia_Constitution_am2009_en.pdf (2014)
Verified: 2014/10/09
EM005
EMB expenditures controlled by
Question: The expenditures of the national electoral management body are controlled by:
Answer(s):
g . Other
Comments: Costs arising from the preparation and holding of the elections are covered from the state budget, which is controlled by the State Audit Office. Thus, the body controlling expenditures of the national electoral management body is the State Audit Office, which is an independent, collegial, supreme audit institution in the Republic of Latvia, subject only to law.
Source: Electoral Law: The Saeima Election Law as in force on 19 July 2014, art. 53: http://cvk.lv/pub/public/30870.html?doc_print=1 (2014)
Law: State Audit Office Law as amended on 22 June 2005, sec. 1(1)-(2) & 2(1)(1).
Verified: 2014/10/09
EM006
Term of EMB members
Question: The term of the members of the national electoral management body is:
Answer:
b . For a specified number of years
Comments: 4 years.
Law: Article 1: Not later than six months after its convening, the Saeima shall establish a Central Election Commission as a permanently functioning public institution.
Constitution: Article 10. The Saeima shall be elected for a term of four years.
Source: Law: Law on the Central Election Commission as amended on 6 May 2010, art. 1: http://cvk.lv/pub/public/28127.html (2014)
Constitution: The Constitution of the Republic of Latvia as amended on 8 April 2009, art. 10: http://legislationline.org/download/action/download/id/4777/file/Latvia_Constitution_am2009_en.pdf (2014)
Verified: 2014/10/09
EM012
Electoral Management model
Question: What is the Electoral Management model?
Answer:
b . Independent
Comments:
Source: Electoral Management Design: The International IDEA Handbook (http://www.idea.int/publications/emd/upload/EMD_Annex_A.pdf)
Verified: 2014/10/02
EM013
Number of EMB members
Question: The EMB is composed of:
Answer:
a . 1 - 10 members (specify)
Comments: Article 2: The Central Election Commission shall consist of nine members who are voters.
Source: Law: Law on the Central Election Commission as amended on 6 May 2010, art. 2: http://cvk.lv/pub/public/28127.html (2014)
Verified: 2014/10/09
EM014
Membership based on
Question: The EMB members/commissioners are selected on the basis of their:
Answer:
c . Combination of partisanship and expertise
Comments: Article 2: The Saeima shall elect the Chairperson of the Central Election Commission and seven Commission members, and the Supreme Court, at its plenum, shall elect one Commission member from among the judges.
Source: Law: Law on the Central Election Commission as amended on 6 May 2010, art. 1: http://cvk.lv/pub/public/28127.html (2014)
Verified: 2014/10/09
EM015
Question: The EMB members/commissioners are selected by:
Answer(s):
e . Legislature f . Judiciary
Comments: The Saeima shall elect the Chairperson of the Central Election Commission and seven Commission members, and the Supreme Court, at its plenum, shall elect one Commission member from among the judges.
Source: Law: Law on the Central Election Commission as amended on 6 May 2010, art. 1: http://cvk.lv/pub/public/28127.html (2014)
Verified: 2014/10/09
Voter Education
VE001
Information campaigns performed by
Question: Who conducts information campaigns for national elections (informing where, when and how to register and/or vote)?
Answer(s):
a . National Electoral Management Body
Comments: Article 6: The Central Election Commission shall: 72) inform voters about the voting procedure at elections or a national referendum and initiation of legislation;
Source: Law: Law on the Central Election Commission as amended on 6 May 2010, art. 6 (72): http://cvk.lv/pub/public/28127.html (2014)
Verified: 2014/10/09
VE002
Frequency of voter education programs
Question: At the national level, how often are voter education programs conducted?
Answer:
a . Continuously
Comments: The information regarding elections are provided for in the Official Website of the Central Election Commission. Activities of the voter education are intensified during the pre-elections period.
Source: Latvian Central Election Commission's Official Website: http://web.cvk.lv/pub/public/index.html (2014)
Verified: 2014/10/09
VE003
National civic education
Question: Is there a national civic education campaign (rights and responsibilities of citizens)?
Answer(s):
b . Yes, conducted by the National Electoral Management Body h . Yes, conducted by NGOs/ Civic Organizations j . Yes, conducted by the Media
Comments:
Source: OSCE/ODIHR Limited Election Observation Mission Final Report on the early parliamentary elections (17 September 2011) in the Republic of Latvia. Warsaw (19 December 2011): http://www.osce.org/odihr/elections/Latvia/86363
Verified: 2012/02/07
Voter Registration
VR001
Voting age
Question: What is the legal voting age in the national elections?
Answer:
c . 18
Comments: Article 1. Citizens of Latvia who have reached the age of 18 by election day have the right to vote.
Source: Constitution: The Constitution of the Republic of Latvia as amended on 8 April 2009, art. 8: http://legislationline.org/download/action/download/id/4777/file/Latvia_Constitution_am2009_en.pdf (2014);
Electoral Law: The Saeima Election Law as in force on 19 July 2014, art. 1: http://cvk.lv/pub/public/30870.html?doc_print=1 (2014)
Verified: 2014/10/09
VR002
Other voting requirements
Question: Beyond age, what other qualifications exist for registering to vote and voting in the national elections?
Answer(s):
a . Citizenship e . Other
Comments: Article 4: Any citizen of Latvia who has reached the age of 21 before election day may be elected to the Saeima unless one or more of the restrictions specified in Article 5 of this Law apply.
Article 5: Persons are not to be included in the lists of candidates and are not eligible to be elected to the Saeima if they:
1) have been placed under statutory trusteeship by the court;
2) are serving a court sentence in a penitentiary;
3) have been convicted of an intentionally committed criminal offence except in cases when persons have been rehabilitated or their conviction has been expunged or vacated;
4) have committed a criminal offence set forth in the Criminal Law in a state of mental incapacity or a state of diminished mental capacity or who, after committing a criminal offence, have developed a mental disorder and thus are incapable of taking or controlling a conscious action and as a result have been subjected to compulsory medical measures, or whose cases have been dismissed without applying such compulsory medical measures;
5) belong to the salaried staff of the state security, intelligence or counterintelligence services of a foreign country or have belonged to the salaried staff of the state security, intelligence or counterintelligence services of the USSR or the Latvian SSR except persons who have been employed at the Planning, Finance or Administrative Departments of the Committee for State Security of the USSR or the Latvian SSR;
6) after 13 January 1991 have been active in the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (the Communist Party of Latvia), the International Front of the Working People of the Latvian SSR, the United Board of Working Bodies, the Organisation of War and Labour Veterans, the All-Latvia Salvation Committee or its regional committees;
7) have been sentenced with a prohibition to stand as a candidate in the elections of the Saeima, European Parliament, city or municipality councils unless they have been rehabilitated or their conviction has been expunged or vacated.
Source: Constitution: The Constitution of the Republic of Latvia as amended on 8 April 2009, art. 8: http://legislationline.org/download/action/download/id/4777/file/Latvia_Constitution_am2009_en.pdf (2014);
Electoral Law: The Saeima Election Law as in force on 19 July 2014, art. 4-5: http://cvk.lv/pub/public/30870.html?doc_print=1 (2014)
Verified: 2014/10/09
VR004
Authority responsible for voter registration
Question: Which is the authority responsible for the registration of voters for national elections?
Answer:
e . Other
Comments: Article 3: (2) Processing of data included on the Register and maintenance of the Register shall be carried out by the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs.
Source: Law: Voters’ Register Law, adopted on January 22, 2004, art. 3(2).
Verified: 2014/10/03
VR008
Is it compulsory to be on the voters register?
Question: Is it compulsory to be on the voters register?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: Article 5. (1) The Register shall include, update and store data on competent citizens of Latvia who have reached the age of 18 on the day of elections to the Saeima, the European Parliament, a town council, a county council or a parish council, or on the day of nation-wide referendum (hereinafter also referred to as “the elections), and who are filed with the Register of Residents.
(2) The Register shall include, update and store data on competent citizens of the European Union who are not citizens of Latvia and have reached the age of 18 on the day of elections to the European Parliament, and who are filed with the Register of Residents or have applied to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and in relation to whom the Central Election Commission has made a decision on their inclusion on the Register in accordance with the law.
Source: Law: Voters’ Register Law, adopted on January 22, 2004, art. 5.
Verified: 2014/10/03
Parties and Candidates
PC001
Registration requirements for parties (Chamber 1)
Question: What are the registration requirements for political parties running for national elections (Chamber 1)?
Answer(s):
b . Deposit requirement (specify amount) f . Other
Comments: Article 9: (1) A list of candidates may be submitted:
1) by a legally registered political party;
2) by a legally registered alliance of political parties.
Article 12: (1) The Central Election Commission shall register only those lists of candidates whose submitters have made a security deposit of EUR 1,400 in the bank account of the Central Election Commission.
Source: Electoral Law: The Saeima Election Law as in force on 19 July 2014, art. 9, 12: http://cvk.lv/pub/public/30870.html?doc_print=1 (2014)
Verified: 2014/10/09
PC003
Registration requirements for candidates (Chamber 1)
Question: What are the legal qualifications to become a candidate at legislative elections (Chamber 1)?
Answer(s):
a . Age b . Citizenship
Comments: Article 4: Any citizen of Latvia who has reached the age of 21 before Election Day may be elected to the Saeima unless any of the restrictions specified in Article 5 of this Law apply.
Article 5: Persons are not to be included in the lists of candidates and are not eligible to be elected to the Saeima if they:
1) have been placed under statutory trusteeship by the court;
2) are serving a court sentence in a penitentiary;
3) have been convicted of an intentionally committed criminal offence except in cases when persons have been rehabilitated or their conviction has been expunged or vacated;
4) have committed a criminal offence set forth in the Criminal Law in a state of mental incapacity or a state of diminished mental capacity or who, after committing a criminal offence, have developed a mental disorder and thus are incapable of taking or controlling a conscious action and as a result have been subjected to compulsory medical measures, or whose cases have been dismissed without applying such compulsory medical measures;
5) belong to the salaried staff of the state security, intelligence or counterintelligence services of a foreign country or have belonged to the salaried staff of the state security, intelligence or counterintelligence services of the USSR or the Latvian SSR except persons who have been employed at the Planning, Finance or Administrative Departments of the Committee for State Security of the USSR or the Latvian SSR;
6) after 13 January 1991 have been active in the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (the Communist Party of Latvia), the International Front of the Working People of the Latvian SSR, the United Board of Working Bodies, the Organisation of War and Labour Veterans, the All-Latvia Salvation Committee or its regional committees;
7) have been sentenced with a prohibition to stand as a candidate in the elections of the Saeima, European Parliament, city or municipality councils unless they have been rehabilitated or their conviction has been expunged or vacated.
Source: Electoral Law: The Saeima Election Law as in force on 19 July 2014, art. 4-5: http://cvk.lv/pub/public/30870.html?doc_print=1 (2014)
Verified: 2014/10/09
PC008
Independent candidates
Question: Can independent candidates compete in presidential or legislative elections?
Answer(s):
b . In presidential elections
Comments: Constitution: Article 37. Any person who enjoys full rights of citizenship and who has attained the age of forty years may be elected President. A person with dual citizenship may not be elected President.
Electoral Law: Article 9: (1) A list of candidates may be submitted:
1) by a legally registered political party;
2) by a legally registered association of political parties.
Source: Constitution: The Constitution of the Republic of Latvia as amended on 8 April 2009, art. 37: http://legislationline.org/download/action/download/id/4777/file/Latvia_Constitution_am2009_en.pdf (2014);
Electoral Law: The Saeima Election Law as in force on 19 July 2014, art. 9 (1): http://cvk.lv/pub/public/30870.html?doc_print=1 (2014)
Verified: 2014/10/09
PC012
Public funding of parties
Question: Do political parties receive direct/indirect public funding?
Answer(s):
c . Indirect
Comments: Law on Financing: Section 2. Sources of Financing
(1) Political organisations (parties) may be financed by:
1) membership fees and joining fees;
2) gifts (donations) from natural persons;
3) the income earned by economic activities of the relevant political organisation (party); and/or
4) other sources of financing, except by those prohibited to finance political
organisations (parties) by law.
Law on Pre-election Campaign: Section 2: (1) Candidates who are in a list of candidates of the same title have the right to use the broadcasting time of the Latvian Radio and Latvian Television for pre-election campaign free of charge in accordance with the procedures and the amount stipulated in this Law if they have submitted a statement regarding the submission of the list of candidates at least 40 days before the election day.
Source: Law: Law on Financing of Political Organisations (Parties) as amended on 25 September 2008, sec. 2(1).
Law: Law on Pre-election Campaign Before the Saeima Elections and Elections to the European Parliament as amended till 15 January 2009, sec. 2(1).
Verified: 2014/10/03
PC015
Question: What is the basis of the public funding?
Answer(s):
a . Equal funding, regardless of size and previous performance
Comments: Section 5: (1) Candidates who are in the list of candidates of the same title have the right to use the following free of charge for pre-election campaign in the Latvian Radio and Latvian Television:
1) 10 minutes during the time period from the 29th day until the 8th day before the election day; and
2) 10 minutes during the time period from the 7th day until the penultimate day before the election day.
(11) In the case referred to in Section 2, Paragraph four of this Law candidates who are in the list of candidates of the same title have the right to use free of charge 10 minutes during the time period from the 7th day until the penultimate day before the election day for pre-election campaign in the Latvian Radio and Latvian Television.
(2) The candidates who are in the respective list of candidates may use the free of charge broadcasting time provided for in Paragraph one of this Section at their discretion.
Source: Law: Law on Pre-election Campaign Before the Saeima Elections and Elections to the European Parliament as amended till 15 January 2009, sec. 5.
Verified: 2014/10/03
PC017
Question: Are political parties entitled to private funding?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: Section 2. Sources of Financing
(1) Political organisations (parties) may be financed by:
1) membership fees and joining fees;
2) gifts (donations) from natural persons;
3) the income earned by economic activities of the relevant political organisation(party); and/or
4) other sources of financing, except by those prohibited to finance political
organisations (parties) by law.
Source: Law: Law on Financing of Political Organisations (Parties) as amended on 25 September 2008, sec. 2(1).
Verified: 2014/10/03
Vote Counting
VC004
Votes are sorted/counted at
Question: Following the close of the voting, where are the votes first sorted and counted?
Answer:
a . The polling stations
Comments: Article 29: (1) The preliminary counting of votes shall start immediately after the polling stations have closed. Votes shall be counted at an open meeting of the polling station commission.
Source: Electoral Law: The Saeima Election Law as in force on 19 July 2014, art. 29: http://cvk.lv/pub/public/30870.html?doc_print=1 (2014)
Verified: 2014/10/09
VC011
When are ballots recounted?
Question: Under what conditions are ballots recounted?
Answer(s):
b . Always recounted
Comments: Article 33: (6) The valid ballot papers shall be grouped according to the names of the lists of candidates. Then the votes cast for each list of candidates shall be counted.
(7) After the votes cast for each list of candidates have been counted, the polling station commission, in accordance with the procedure set by the Central Election Commission, shall promptly announce the number of votes cast for each list of candidates.
Source: Electoral Law: The Saeima Election Law as in force on 19 July 2014, art. 33 (6-7): http://cvk.lv/pub/public/30870.html?doc_print=1 (2014)
Verified: 2014/10/09
Media and Elections
ME037
Criteria for allocating free broadcast time
Question: What are the criteria for allocating free broadcast time and/or free printed advertisement space to political parties?
Answer(s):
g . Other (specify)
Comments: Section 2: (1) Candidates who are in a list of candidates of the same title have the right to use the broadcasting time of the Latvian Radio and Latvian Television for pre-election campaign free of charge in accordance with the procedures and the amount stipulated in this Law if they have submitted a statement regarding the submission of the list of candidates at least 40 days before the election day.
(2) Within the meaning of this Law, a pre-election campaign shall be the advertising of any political organisation, association of political organisations or any deputy candidate in mass media or otherwise if it contains a direct or indirect invitation to vote for or against any political organisation, association of political organisations or any deputy candidate.
Source: Law on Pre-election Campaign Before the Saeima Elections and Elections to the European Parliament as amended on 15 January 2009, sec. 2(1) & (2).
Verified: 2014/10/03
ME059
Television debates
Question: Are televised debates between candidates or party representatives normally conducted?
Answer(s):
b . Yes, in legislative elections
Comments: Public TV LTV1 provided an overall balanced coverage of the main contestants, and was largely in a neutral tone in its news, current affairs’ programmes and debates.LTV1 fulfilled its obligation to provide political parties with free airtime31 and organized nine election debates, three of them with all 13 contenders.
Source: OSCE/ODIHR Limited Election Observation Mission Final Report on Early Parliamentary Elections (17 September 2011)in Republic of Latvia. (Warsaw 19 December 2011): http://www.osce.org/odihr/elections/Latvia/86363
Verified: 2014/10/03
ME062
Blackout period for release of opinion poll results.
Question: What is the blackout period, if any, during which results of pre-election opinion polls may not be released to the public?
Answer:
a . 1 day
Comments: Section 14: It is prohibited to include the results of public opinion polls regarding popularity of political organisations, associations of political organisations or individual deputy candidates in programmes of broadcasting organisations on the election day until 10 o’clock in the evening.
Source: Law on Pre-election Campaign Before the Saeima Elections and Elections to the European Parliament as amended on 15 January 2009, sec. 14.
Verified: 2014/10/03
ME080
Question: Is there a maximum amount that a political party is permitted to spend on paid advertising during a campaign period?
Answer:
c . No information available
Comments:
Source:
Verified: 2014/10/03
Direct Democracy
DD002
Direct Democracy Provisions (National Level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Direct Democracy Procedures at the national level?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: Constitution: Article 64. The Saeima, and also the people, have the right to legislate, in accordance with the procedures, and to the extent, provided for by this Constitution.
Law: Article 1: A national referendum shall be held if:
1) the Saeima has amended the first, second, third, fourth, sixth or seventy-seventh Article of the Constitution (Satversme);
2) the President of Latvia has proposed the dissolution of the Saeima;
3) the President of Latvia has suspended the proclamation of a law for two months, and during this period a petition by not fewer than one-tenth of the electorate has been received to put the suspended law to a national referendum;
4) the Saeima has not adopted without change as to its content a draft law or a draft amendment to the Constitution submitted by not less than one-tenth of the electorate;
5) membership of Latvia in the European Union must be decided;
6) substantial changes in the terms regarding the membership of Latvia in the European Union must be decided, and at least one-half of the members of the Saeima have requested a national referendum on this matter.
Article 2: All citizens of Latvia who are eligible to vote in the Saeima elections may participate in national referendums and in initiating legislation.
Source: Constitution: The Constitution of the Republic of Latvia as amended on 8 April 2009, art. 48, 50, 64, 68, 72, 74, 77-80: http://legislationline.org/download/action/download/id/4777/file/Latvia_Constitution_am2009_en.pdf (2014);
Law: Law on National Referendum and Initiation of Legislation as amended till 26 February 2009, art. 1-2.
Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) (http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm)
Verified: 2014/10/09
DD003
Mandatory referendums (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Mandatory Referendums at the national level?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: Law: Article 1: A national referendum shall be held if:
1) the Saeima has amended the first, second, third, fourth, sixth or seventy-seventh Article of the Constitution (Satversme);
2) the President of Latvia has proposed the dissolution of the Saeima;
3) the President of Latvia has suspended the proclamation of a law for two months, and during this period a petition by not fewer than one-tenth of the electorate has been received to put the suspended law to a national referendum;
4) the Saeima has not adopted without change as to its content a draft law or a draft amendment to the Constitution submitted by not less than one-tenth of the electorate;
5) membership of Latvia in the European Union must be decided;
6) substantial changes in the terms regarding the membership of Latvia in the European Union must be decided, and at least one-half of the members of the Saeima have requested a national referendum on this matter.
Source: Constitution: The Constitution of the Republic of Latvia as amended on 8 April 2009, art. 48, 50, 68, 72, 74, 77-79: http://legislationline.org/download/action/download/id/4777/file/Latvia_Constitution_am2009_en.pdf (2014);
Law: Law on National Referendum and Initiation of Legislation as amended till 26 February 2009, art. 1.
Verified: 2014/10/09
DD004
Optional referendums (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Optional Referendums at the national level?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Law: Law on National Referendum and Initiation of Legislation as amended till 26 February 2009.
Verified: 2014/10/03
DD005
Citizens' Initiatives (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Citizen’s Initiatives at national level?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: Article 2: All citizens of Latvia who are eligible to vote in the Saeima elections may participate in national referendums and in initiating legislation.
Source: Law: Law on National Referendum and Initiation of Legislation as amended till 26 February 2009, art. 2, ch. 4.
Verified: 2014/10/09
DD006
Agenda Initiatives (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Agenda Initiatives at national level?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments:
Source: Law: Law on National Referendum and Initiation of Legislation as amended till 26 February 2009, art. 1.
Verified: 2014/10/09
DD007
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Recalls at national level?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) (http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm)
Verified: 2014/10/03
DD129
Question: Are the results of referenda always binding, never binding or sometimes binding?
Answer:
a . Always binding
Comments:
Source: Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) (http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm)
Verified: 2014/10/03
DD130
Question: Are the types of issues to vote upon in a referendum constitutional changes only, other issues only or both constitutional and other issues?
Answer:
c . Both constitutional and other issues
Comments: Law: Article 1: A national referendum shall be held if:
1) the Saeima has amended the first, second, third, fourth, sixth or seventy-seventh Article of the Constitution (Satversme);
2) the President of Latvia has proposed the dissolution of the Saeima;
3) the President of Latvia has suspended the proclamation of a law for two months, and during this period a petition by not fewer than one-tenth of the electorate has been received to put the suspended law to a national referendum;
4) the Saeima has not adopted without change as to its content a draft law or a draft amendment to the Constitution submitted by not less than one-tenth of the electorate;
5) membership of Latvia in the European Union must be decided;
6) substantial changes in the terms regarding the membership of Latvia in the European Union must be decided, and at least one-half of the members of the Saeima have requested a national referendum on this matter.
Source: Constitution: The Constitution of the Republic of Latvia as amended on 8 April 2009, art. 48, 50, 68, 72, 74, 77-80: http://legislationline.org/download/action/download/id/4777/file/Latvia_Constitution_am2009_en.pdf (2014);
Law: Law on National Referendum and Initiation of Legislation as amended till 26 February 2009, art. 1-2.
Verified: 2014/10/09
DD131
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Direct Democracy at sub-national levels (regional or local)?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) (http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm)
Verified: 2014/10/03
Voting Operations
VO003
Electors vote at
Question: Where can electors vote?
Answer(s):
a . At a specified polling station in the locality where they are registered at national elections d . At specially designated polling stations e . At mobile polling stations f . By mail h . By proxy
Comments: c) Because there is no voter register.
e) If the voter is ill, and willing to vote, somebody goes to their homes.
f) Only citizens being abroad may vote by mail.
h) If being physical handicapped prevents an elector from voting, then, a member of their family, or another trustworthy person, can mark the ballot paper according to word-of-mouth instructions given by the voter. The person marking the ballot must not be a member of the relevant election commission.
Source: Law: Voters’ Register Law, adopted on January 22, 2004, art. 14.
Electoral Law: The Saeima Election Law as in force on 19 July 2014, art. 24, 25, 43, 45, 46: http://cvk.lv/pub/public/30870.html?doc_print=1 (2014)
Verified: 2014/10/09
VO004
Voting outside the country is permitted for
Question: Who can vote from outside the country?
Answer(s):
b . Citizens residing outside the country c . Citizens outside the country (including those on vacation) d . Members of the armed forces e . Students f . Diplomatic staff
Comments:
Source: Electoral Law: The Saeima Election Law as in force on 19 July 2014, art. 43: http://cvk.lv/pub/public/30870.html?doc_print=1 (2014)
Verified: 2014/10/09
VO005
Locations for voting outside of the country
Question: If voting outside the country is permitted, at what places?
Answer(s):
a . Embassies b . Consulates c . Special polling stations e . By mail f . Other
Comments: Electors residing in a foreign country at the time of the elections, shall cast their votes in person by arriving at the polling stations established by the Central Election Commission in the consulates of the Republic of Latvia as recommended by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or vote by mail.
Source: Electoral Law: The Saeima Election Law as in force on 19 July 2014, art. 43: http://cvk.lv/pub/public/30870.html?doc_print=1 (2014)
Verified: 2014/10/09
VO011
Voting method
Question: How do electors cast their votes?
Answer(s):
a . Manually marking of ballots
Comments:
Source: Electoral Law: The Saeima Election Law as in force on 19 July 2014, art. 23: http://cvk.lv/pub/public/30870.html?doc_print=1 (2014)
Verified: 2014/10/09
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