High officials of the Central Election Commission (CEC) presented the online voter register solution used in local government elections and plans to introduce it in the Saeima elections to election experts of the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) during an online meeting on Wednesday, 22 September 2021.
Experts from the Office of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights were interested in both the regulatory framework in force in Latvia and in the functioning and security aspects of the register. The experts monitor parliamentary elections held in different countries. Elections to the 14th Saeima will take place in Latvia on 1 October next year.
The solution of the electronic online voter register will allow voters to vote in the Saeima elections as before at any polling station, providing equal opportunities to participate in elections for voters holding only their identity card but no passport. Until now, these voters have been able to participate in the parliamentary elections if, prior to the elections, they received a voter ID card at one of the territorial divisions of the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs, in which, as in the passport, a mark was made regarding participation in the elections.
The electronic online voter register will include all eligible voters who will have the right to participate in the Saeima elections. A polling station commission employee will verify the voter's right to vote in the online register and make a note that the voter has voted. Consequently, the stamp affirming participation in the elections will no longer be put on the voter’s passport, and the principle of “one voter one vote” will be ensured by making a respective note in the electronic online register.
On September 23, the Saeima plans to approve amendments to the Saeima Election Law and the Electoral Register Law, which provide for the introduction of an online voter register, in the third final reading.
The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights provides support, assistance and expertise to participating states and civil society to promote democracy, rule of law, human rights and tolerance and non-discrimination.
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