In May and June, air alerts were declared several times in the eastern regions of Latvia, primarily in Latgale, due to foreign drones violating the airspace of our country. A similar situation is possible in October — during the parliamentary elections, writes LSM+.
The Central Election Commission (CEC) states: a plan is already being developed, but its details are not disclosed — for security reasons. However, in the event of a threat, the ballot boxes will be sealed and transported to a safe and secure location, and the voting process will be suspended until the alert is lifted.
SUMMARY:
A plan of action and recommendations are being prepared for various emergency situations during the elections. Voting will not be interrupted at the yellow alert level. At the orange alert level, voting will be suspended, and the ballot boxes will be sealed. If the threat arises in the afternoon, polling station hours may be extended. The CEC urges voters to take the opportunity to cast their votes in advance during the pre-election week.
Development of Action Plans and Recommendations
CEC Chairman Maris Zviiedris, responding to journalists' questions about a possible air alert during the elections, noted that a single action plan would not be suitable for all polling stations. Therefore, each of them will have to act according to the specific situation and available facilities.
The CEC's recommendations will be prepared shortly and will largely align with the guidelines and alert levels developed by the Crisis Management Center.
Municipal election commissions have already been tasked with identifying the nearest safe facilities and shelters, as well as alternative polling stations where voting can continue in case of a forced interruption for security reasons.
Voting Will Be Suspended at the Orange Alert Level
At the yellow alert level — regarding a possible threat — the voting process will continue, but with an understanding and readiness that a warning of the next — higher — level may soon follow.
"Then the polling stations must immediately take action — seal the ballot boxes, and the process, as in other state institutions at the orange alert level, will be suspended," Zviiedris said.
To ensure the integrity of the results, the sealed ballot boxes will be guarded by security services; however, Zviiedris did not disclose details of further actions.
"To not reveal all the cards to those who want to spoil our celebration," he added, noting that only the election organizers will know all the details.
If the highest threat level, when one must remain in safe facilities until it is lifted, is declared on the days of early voting, when one can cast their vote for safekeeping, no additional time for voting will be provided.
If, however, the entire voting day — October 3 — is significantly disrupted due to a threat, or the last two to three hours, the hours of the affected polling stations may be extended.
"We will do this only in an emergency, if access to the polling stations is completely impossible and if it is necessary to ensure the opportunity to vote. But we are talking specifically about election day and the second half of the day," Zviiedris emphasized.
The decision will be made by the municipal election commission in coordination with the CEC. The extension of hours will be determined based on the situation but will be at least one full hour.
If an orange alert is declared, for example, early in the morning on election day, the polling stations will open after it is lifted. Zviiedris acknowledged that if a station was closed for several hours in the first half of the day, this does not necessarily mean that its hours will have to be extended until midnight, as voters will still have the opportunity to vote later. The situation is different if the threat arises in the evening.
"At the orange alert level, it should be understood that this is no joke. It is indeed possible that a bomb is hanging overhead and there is a real physical threat.
If you need to hide, then you need to hide," Zviiedris emphasized.
Possible amendments to regulations that would allow for rapid response and organization of polling station operations in emergencies have already been discussed with the Ministry of Justice.
The CEC also has an action plan in case a polling station's operation is disrupted. For example, if a ballot box is irreparably damaged, the commission will consider the possibility of conducting a re-vote at that specific station.
Voters Are Urged to Take the Opportunity to Vote in Advance
The CEC Chairman urged voters to take the opportunity to cast their votes for safekeeping in advance — in case "some malefactor decides to spoil our celebration of democracy — [the election day for the Saeima]." This opportunity will be available during the pre-election week — from Monday to Friday — at all polling stations during specified hours.
Training for municipal and precinct commissions on these and other issues related to the electoral process is scheduled for mid-July — August.
"Our priority is to ensure the safety of people while simultaneously preserving the opportunity for voters to cast their votes and guaranteeing the integrity of the election results," the CEC emphasizes.
