Latvia election chief says safeguards address last year’s counting problems

Latvia is better prepared to avoid the ballot-counting problems seen in last year’s municipal elections, Central Election Commission Chairman Māris Zviedris told Latvian Television’s Viens pret vienu programme, LSM reported.

Speaking on August 25, Zviedris said preparations for the parliamentary elections on October 3 were on track. He said ballots would be counted manually, a decision made in advance to provide greater clarity.

The commission has also simplified procedures for making urgent decisions if problems arise. All functional system tests have been completed, and no further changes will be introduced, Zviedris said.