Latvia prepares for drone threats during elections: ballot boxes to be sealed, voting halted
The Central Election Commission (CVK) has outlined contingency measures for the Saeima elections in case of drone alerts: ballot boxes will be sealed and moved to a secure location, while voting is suspended until the warning is lifted.
Following repeated drone warnings in May and June, mostly affecting the Latgale region, Latvia's Central Election Commission (CVK) has addressed the issue of election security during potential aerial threats. While the CVK does not disclose all details due to security concerns, it has provided a general outline of the planned procedures.
In the event of a threat, ballot boxes at polling stations would be immediately sealed. They would then be transported to a safe, guarded location and remain there until the danger has passed. The voting process would be completely suspended for the duration of the warning – no new voters would be allowed to cast ballots, and those already at the station would have to wait. Voting would resume only after an official confirmation that the threat has been neutralized.
This protocol aims to ensure the safety of voters and election materials, as well as to maintain the integrity of the election process. Some polling stations might extend their working hours to compensate for the interruption, but specific decisions will be made depending on the situation. The CVK urges voters to remain calm and trust the system, emphasizing that all measures are designed to safeguard the democratic process.
