Police open seven cases over election-day violations in Latvia

Latvian police opened seven administrative-offence proceedings after receiving 25 reports of possible violations on parliamentary election day, most of which were not confirmed, LSM reported.

Four proceedings concern disturbances of public order and three concern breaches of campaign rules. Police said the day passed without significant incidents, though checks into some reports are continuing.

Public-order violations were recorded in Riga and Daugavpils, where information posters at a polling station were damaged. In Jekabpils, a domestic dispute at a polling station ended with one person tearing up an unwanted ballot paper.

In Lociki, in Augsdaugava Municipality, a person behaved inappropriately at a polling station while filming and commenting in Russian, and made rude and disrespectful remarks about the Latvian language. The case materials will be sent to the State Language Centre for review and a decision.

Campaign materials were found in publicly accessible places in Akniste, Lestene and Kurmene, prompting proceedings for breaches of campaign rules.

The 15th Saeima elections were held across Latvia on October 3.