Jelgava voters urge new parliament to act quickly

Voters in Jelgava called on Latvia’s 15th Saeima, or parliament, to get to work quickly, LSM reported on Saturday, October 3. Long queues formed at Jelgava State Gymnasium, while voters also turned out in large numbers at Miezīte Library.

Several voters told Latvian Radio that choosing whom to support had been easy. Some said their choice matched the results of LSM’s party comparison tool or was based on candidates’ work and associates. Others cited politicians’ competence, shared values or a party’s commitment to responsible national development without empty promises.

Voting in Jelgava proceeded calmly, with no incidents, said Toms Falaļejevs, head of the commission at polling station 195. He described voter activity as high and said there had been no violations.

The main question voters had raised was about submitting a ballot for safekeeping. Some were surprised to learn that it had to be placed in a second, larger envelope, Falaļejevs said. Many had used the advance voting option at his station, but only one person changed their choice before election day.

Voter activity was also high at polling station 196 in Miezīte Library, said commission head Aiga Volkova. In the five days when voters could submit ballots for safekeeping, the station ranked third in voter activity among polling stations, she said.

Some voters told Latvian Radio they expected the new Saeima to find it difficult to work together.