Older voters scrutinise candidates and turn out for Latvia’s election

Older people are among the most diligent voters in Latvia’s 15th Saeima election, and many value the chance to choose their representatives themselves, LSM reports.

Many seniors have experienced elections in Soviet Latvia, where the winner was known before the votes were counted. They say people who do not vote should not complain or blame others afterwards.

Polling station No. 119 is operating at Mežciems, a social care centre. Its residents say they would not consider missing the election. Seniors are making their way to vote with canes and in wheelchairs.

Retired teacher Velta Balode said a candidate she had favoured lost her support after a televised interview with Jānis Domburs. “When I saw how he spoke to Jānītis on Kas notiek Latvijā? That was it for him. He is no longer suitable,” she said. Balode added that she watches election debates and would review all the candidate lists before voting.

Another voter, Signe Zīverte, called the ability to choose representatives “a great privilege” not available in totalitarian states, and said too few people vote.