Tomorrow, the Central Election Commission will begin accepting lists of parties and associations that will compete for the coveted seats in the 15th Saeima. The submission of lists will end on July 5. It is predicted that at least 14 parties and associations will participate in the elections for the new parliament.
It is already clear that all parties represented in the current parliament ("New Unity", "Latvia First", the United List, the Union of Greens and Farmers, "Stability!", the National Alliance, and the "Progressives") intend to compete for the coveted seats in the 15th Saeima.
Non-parliamentary political forces are also hoping to enter the Saeima – the "Sovereign Power" - Young Latvians, "Harmony Center", the New Conservative Party, "We Change the Rules", the Gobzems List, "For the Development of Latvia", "Rising Sun"...
It should be noted that there is a five percent threshold for entering the Saeima, however, all political forces that receive at least 2% of the votes from voters can claim state funding.
After the submission of lists is completed, a traditional lottery will take place, during which each party/association will receive a number, and it is in that order, according to the chosen number, that stacks of party lists will be issued to voters.
It is important to note that the main election day is October 3. However, early voting (casting a vote for safekeeping) will also be available in the days leading up to it, starting from September 28. Polling stations will operate during specific hours.
On the morning of October 4, preliminary election results will already be announced. According to a recently adopted law, the counting of votes will be conducted manually.
The new Saeima will convene for its first meeting on November 3.
