United List wins Latvia election as turnout hits record low

The United List won Latvia’s 15th Saeima election decisively, while voter turnout fell to its lowest level ever in a parliamentary election, LSM reported.

At least 800,000 eligible voters, or 51.67%, cast ballots on October 3. Experts suggested the low turnout may have reflected a lack of prominent populist candidates and proposals for change that could persuade more people to vote.

Voting took place from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. in Latvia and among its diaspora, with no major incidents reported. Police received 20 reports of possible violations. Information posters were damaged at polling stations in Riga and Daugavpils, and authorities recorded a case of unauthorised campaigning.

In a Riga prison, votes were annulled because a voter had presented an invalid document, and a repeat vote was held.