PM Kulbergs: advance-voting rules may be revised after election

Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs, speaking after a coalition cooperation meeting, gave a positive assessment of the Central Election Commission's handling of the 15th Saeima election, noting it was the first time the new voting system had been fully tested in a real election. According to the prime minister, the system performed well overall, data was accessible throughout the process, and the final results were accurate.

At the same time, Kulbergs suggested that one element of the process should be reviewed going forward: the rule allowing voters to change a vote they had already cast during advance voting. Under the current system, a voter who cast a ballot during the advance-voting period can go to a polling station on election day itself and vote again, which automatically cancels the earlier vote. Kulbergs said this arrangement creates extra administrative burden for election organizers and opens the door to potential abuse of the system.

Weighing benefit against complexity

The prime minister said it would be worth assessing whether the benefit voters gain from being able to change an early vote is significant enough to justify the added complexity it brings to running the election. He indicated that the question of possible changes could eventually be brought before the Saeima for consideration.

How the election unfolded

The 15th Saeima election was held on October 3. The Central Election Commission described the vote as relatively calm and well organized, though it still needs to confirm the final official results. A total of 1,428 candidates from 14 party lists competed for the 100 seats in parliament. The AS party won the election, securing 41 of the 100 mandates. Voter turnout stood at 51.8%, the lowest recorded in any Saeima election since Latvia restored its independence.