In June 12, 2004 for the first time elections to the European Parliament (EP) in Latvia were held. Both citizens of Latvia and other EU member states could participate in these elections.
In EP elections Latvia was a single electoral district from which 9 deputies were elected. Lists of candidates for EP elections in Latvia could be submitted by registered political parties or associations of parties. Lists of candidates had to be submitted to the Central Election Commission within the period from March 24 to April 2, 2004.
On the election day all the voting stations were open from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m.
Starting with these elections, the voters registration procedure was changed. In order to participate in the elections, a voter had to be entered on the Electoral Register of Latvia in one particular voting station and he/she had to appear for voting at this particular voting station only.
In EP elections a primary vote during three days preceding the election day - 9, 10 and 11 June 2004 - took place as well. During these days voting stations were open at least four hours a day, at times specified by the election commissions of local governments.
By prior application, voters staying in foreign countries could participate in EP elections by postal vote.
Voters who could not appear at the voting station on the election day due to their health conditions and persons taking care of such voters could request to arrange voting at their place of residence. The opportunity to arrange voting at their location could be taken also by those voters who were suspects, convicts or accused persons, for whom imprisonment was chosen as a means of safety.