13 parties to contest Saeima elections

Take note – story published 9 years ago

A total of 1,156 candidates from 13 different parties will fight for the 100 seats of Latvia's parliament or Saeima on October 4 after registration of candidates closed Tuesday. 

 

67 percent of candidates on the lists submitted to the Central Electoral Commission (CVK) are men, 33 percent women and their ages range from 21 to 80 years, with the average age 45 years.

Six candidates have dual citizenship with two from both the US and Sweden, one from Lebanon and one from Germany.

Attention now switches to the Saeima building on August 8 when parties draw lots to determine their number on ballot papers.

Four parties will be fielding the maximum number of 115 candidates, while one party will field just 18 candidates.

As well as established parties, the elections will see several new political parties hoping to make an impression and at least hang on to their 1,400 euro deposits by securing at least 2 percent of the vote.

In order to secure Saeima seats, parties need to claim at least 5 percent of the vote. 

On election day, October 4, polling stations will be open between 7 am and 8 pm.

Voters unable to cast their votes on election day will have a chance to take advantage of early voting on 1, 2 and 3 October at selected polling stations.

Overseas voters can participate in the Saeima elections by voting on election day at one of the polling stations established abroad or by mail. Applications for postal votes must be received by 12 September.

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