We have received an incredible and pitiless message: on 20 October of this year, the long-standing Chairman of the Central Election Commission, a consummate election professional, a wise, humanе and sincere colleague Arnis Cimdars passed away at the age of 59.
A. Cimdars was a real election professional and enthusiast, which are not too many in Latvia. He chaired the Central Election Commission from 1997 to spring 2019, being re-elected seven times. During his professional career, he organised seven parliamentary elections, three the European Parliament elections, five municipal elections, the referendum on Latvia's membership in the European Union, as well as various signature collection and referenda. He actively participated also in the elections observation in other countries, was a respected and recognised professional in the field of elections among colleagues in Europe and the world. From 2005 to 2007 was also the President of the Association of European Election Officials (ACEEEO), an Honorary Member of this Association since 2019.
After leaving his office at the Central Election Commission, he continued to participate in the development of the field of elections by foundation the Association of Election Experts, which brought together Latvian election professionals. A. Cimdars was the President of this association.
A. Cimdars was born in 1962. The first higher education in the speciality of the building engineering he acquired in 1985 at the Latvian Agricultural Academy. In 2009, he obtained a Master of Social Sciences degree in Policy Science at the University of Latvia.
A. Cimdars was also the Commander of the Order of the Three Star.
We express our deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues.