Older voters lead turnout in Nalšia North election

Voters aged 75 and over had the highest turnout in the first round of a parliamentary election in the Nalšia North constituency, while participation was lowest among people aged 18 to 29, LRT reported, citing the Central Electoral Commission (VRK).

About 9,100 voters cast ballots, representing 32.2% of those eligible. Turnout among voters aged 75 and over reached 52.93%. People aged 65 to 74 made up the largest share of the electorate, at 23.12%.

Women accounted for 60.8% of all voters and men for 39.2%. The highest turnout was recorded in the Rimšė, Dūkštas and Tverečius polling districts, at 40.41%, 39.49% and 37.93%, respectively. The lowest was in Auksinis gaidelis, Didžiasalis and Geroji Viltis, at 22.7%, 26.1% and 26.9%.

Among voters aged 18 to 29, 379 of about 3,100 cast ballots, a turnout of 12.04%. Young women voted at a higher rate than young men: 193 of 1,411 women, or 13.68%, compared with 186 of 1,737 men, or 10.71%. Youth turnout was highest in polling districts in Ignalina district municipality, at 12.8%.

None of the 11 candidates won the number of votes required to avoid a run-off. The second round will be between Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union candidate Gintautas Kindurys and Liberal candidate Mėta Paulauskė.

Advance voting at municipal buildings in the constituency will take place from November 17 to 19, between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. Voting at special polling locations will be available from November 18 to 20, and election commission members will visit voters’ homes on November 20 and 21. On November 22, voters can cast ballots at any of the constituency’s 27 polling districts, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The election was called after liberal MP Jevgenijus Šuklinas, who had been elected in the constituency, died in late May. The VRK annulled his parliamentary mandate in early June. Šuklinas, a canoeist, was elected to the Seimas in 2024 with the Liberal Movement and belonged to its parliamentary group.

The election code requires a by-election to be held within six months when an MP elected in a single-member constituency leaves office. It does not require one if less than a year remains before the next regular parliamentary election.