On 30 May 2011 the Central Election Commission announced the Referendum on dissolution of the 10th Saeima on the ground of the President’s Valdis Zatlers Order Nr. 2 of 28 May 2011 “On the proposal on dissolution of the Saeima”.
The referendum on this issue was held on 23 July 2011. The referendum's question was "Do you support dissolution of the 10th Saeima?" The ballot papers included two possible answers – "For" and "Against".
On the Referendum Day on 23 July 2011 polling stations were open from 7.00 a.m. till 10.00 p.m. Voters could cast their vote at any polling station in Latvia and abroad since the Voter Register was not be used. To provide for only one vote for each voter, a special stamp was put on a voter’s passport indicating participation in the Referendum.
Voters who were not able to attend polling stations for health reasons could apply for voting at their residence. These voters should apply for voting at their place of residence from 13 till 23 July 2011.
As well, the Referendum took place at 78 polling stations abroad, at 23 of which voters could apply for postal voting till 1 July 2011.
Voting for imprisoned persons was organized too. To vote at the place of imprisonment, such voters should submit their application to administration of the place of imprisonment till 21 July 2011.
According to the results of the Referendum there were 689,988 citizens registered in voters’ lists of polling stations as voters participated in voting. Voter turnout in the Referendum was 44.73 percent.
There were 7,554 voters cast their vote abroad that is 14.97 percent of all voters registered abroad. 232 of these voters used the opportunity to vote by post.
In Latvia 19,571 citizens voted at their place of residence that is 1.31 percent of all voters registered in Latvia.
There were 689,823 valid ballot papers received in the Referendum. 650,518 or 94.3 percent of voters voted affirmatively for the dissolution of the 10th Saeima while 37,829 or 5.48 percent voter were against the dissolution of the 10th Saeima. 1,476 ballots or 0.21 percent of the number of valid ballot papers were recognized as invalid since the both answers "For" and "Against" or no one of these answers was matched on these ballot papers.
The results of the National Referendum show that more then half of voters participated in the Referendum support the dissolution of the 10th Saeima. Consequently, according to the Constitution (Satversme) of the Republic of Latvia this Saeima is deemed dissolved and new parliamentary elections shall be held. These elections shall take place not later then within two months after the dissolution of the Saeima.