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Latvia Латвия

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Определение границ территориальных образований для проведения выборов

BD001

Delimitation of constituencies


Question:Are constituencies delimited for election purposes?
Answer: a. Да
комментарии 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
комментарии 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)
комментарии 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

Избирательные системы

ES001

Head of State


Question:How is the Head of State selected?
Answer(s): d. Indirectly elected by legislature
комментарии 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
комментарии 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. Да
комментарии
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
комментарии 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
комментарии 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
комментарии
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
комментарии 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
комментарии 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
комментарии 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

Управление выборами

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
комментарии 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
комментарии 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
комментарии 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
комментарии 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
комментарии
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)
комментарии 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
комментарии 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
комментарии 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

Повышение правовой культуры избирателей

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
комментарии 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
комментарии 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
комментарии
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

Регистрация избирателей

VR001

Voting age


Question:What is the legal voting age in the national elections?
Answer: c. 18
комментарии 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
комментарии 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
комментарии 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. Да
комментарии 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

Партии и кандидаты

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
комментарии 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
комментарии 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
комментарии 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
комментарии 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
комментарии 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. Да
комментарии 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

Подсчёт голосов

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
комментарии 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
комментарии 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

СМИ и выборы

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)
комментарии 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
комментарии 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
комментарии 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
комментарии
Source:
Verified: 2014/10/03

Прямая демократия

DD002

Direct Democracy Provisions (National Level)


Question:Are there any Legal Provisions for Direct Democracy Procedures at the national level?
Answer: a. Да
комментарии 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. Да
комментарии 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. Нет
комментарии
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. Да
комментарии 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. Да
комментарии
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. Нет
комментарии
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
комментарии
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
комментарии 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. Нет
комментарии
Source: Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) (http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm)
Verified: 2014/10/03

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