Electoral officials in Latvia are gearing up for the European Parliament elections

In the lead-up to the upcoming Saeima and European Parliament elections in Latvia, here's a rundown of the essential facts to help you stay informed.

The Constitution sets the Saeima elections to be held in one day, but the European Parliament Law permits early voting, allowing citizens to cast their votes three days in advance. This early voting option is encouraged by the election commission, with Saulīte, the Chairman of the Central Election Commission (CVK), inviting everyone to consider voting early and making their own choices beforehand.

However, some concerns have been raised about the English information available on the CVK website. Some of the information is outdated, while others are misleading. For instance, the CVK English website incorrectly states that the European Parliament elections will take place "on the fourth Saturday of May" (the actual date is June 8). Additionally, the website incorrectly states that Latvia will send 8 MEPs to Brussels (it will send 9 MEPs).

Despite these issues, the electronic system for voting, developed by the developers and the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs, has no concerns, according to Saulīte. The system prevents multiple voting by showing if a person has already voted, ensuring the integrity of the elections.

The National Guard of Latvia is also taking steps to reduce cybercrime risks in the upcoming elections. Saulīte noted that all types of security are priority number one, and efforts are being made to tackle these risks.

Voting by post will also be an option for Latvia's citizens, and a total of 949 polling stations will operate in Latvia. Foreign citizens in Latvia have until Thursday, May 9 to apply to vote. It's worth noting that Latvia's citizens will have access to 50 districts abroad for voting.

However, the relevant information on the CVK website remains a challenge for foreign users, as most of the information is only available in Latvian. This is an area that the commission is working to improve.

In conclusion, while there are some challenges with the English information available on the CVK website, the electronic voting system is robust and secure. Early voting is an option, and efforts are being made to ensure the security of the elections, including reducing cybercrime risks. Foreign citizens in Latvia have until May 9 to apply to vote, and voting by post will also be available.

Electoral officials in Latvia are gearing up for the European Parliament elections