Latvians abroad vote most in the UK, Germany and US

Some 23,196 voters took part in Latvia’s 15th Saeima election abroad, with the highest numbers in the United Kingdom, Germany and the United States, LSM reported, citing figures compiled by the Foreign Ministry.

A total of 3,703 Latvian citizens voted in the United Kingdom, 2,806 in Germany and 1,558 in the United States. The busiest polling station was in The Hague, where 1,518 people voted. Turnout was also high in Norway, Sweden, Belgium, Denmark and Ireland.

Voters could cast ballots at 88 polling stations in 33 countries. Forty were located at Latvian diplomatic and consular missions, while 48 were set up with the help of diaspora representatives, including in Brazil and Luxembourg, where Latvia has no diplomatic mission.

Postal voting was available through 37 polling stations at Latvian diplomatic and consular missions. Of the 4,907 people who registered to vote by post, 4,476 did so. The Foreign Ministry said voting abroad took place without incident.

The first polling stations opened in Australia on the night of October 2 to 3, Latvian time. The last stations closed in the United States and Canada on the morning of October 4.

Provisional results put overall turnout at 51.79 percent, or 806,641 voters, including postal ballots. LSM reported this was the lowest turnout in Saeima election history. The United List won 41 seats, followed by Latvia First with 17, Sovereign Power and the Union of Young Latvians with 15, the National Alliance and the Progressives with 10 each, and New Unity with seven.