The elections to the Parliament of the Republic of Latvia (the Saeima) were held on 4 October 2014. These were the 12th Saeima elections. Voter turnout was 58,85%, but the 5% threshold crossed six parties and association of parties – the Social Democratic Party "Harmony", party “Unity”, the Greens and Farmers Union, the National Alliance "All For Latvia!" - "For Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK", the Regional Alliance of Latvia and Latvia from the Heart.
The Social Democratic Party “Harmony” obtained 24 seats in the Saeima, the party “Unity” – 23 seats, the Greens and Farmers Union – 21 seat, the National Alliance "All For Latvia!" - "For Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK" – 17 seats, the Regional Alliance of Latvia – 8 seats, but Latvia From the Heart – 7 seats.
912553 valid ballot envelopes with 906538 valid ballot papers were received in the 12th Saeima elections. 565237 or 62,35 % of all valid ballot papers were changed, i.e., voters had placed „+” marks next to the names of candidates whose election they particularly support and struck out the names of those candidates whose election they do not support.
2078 voters had chosen to vote with an empty ballot envelope in the 12th Saeima elections which form 0,23 % of the total of valid ballot envelopes. Torn ballot papers were found in 97 ballot envelopes, ballot papers of another constituency – in 6 ballot envelopes, but 3834 voters had put ballot papers of different content in the ballot envelope.
Voting rights
All citizens of Latvia who on election day had attained 18 years of age were entitled to vote.
The Electoral Register is not used for registration of voters in the Saeima elections. Voters are registered in a polling station by making a mark in their passports.
Thus, voters who had only electronic identity cards (eID), but did not have valid passports, could use a personalized voter card along with the eID as voting documents. It was possible to receive the voter card for free in that territorial section of the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs where the electronic identity card of the voter was issued.
Voting possibilities
On election day, polling stations were open between 7 am and 8 pm. Voters could vote at any nearby polling station in Latvia or abroad.
Voters who did not have a chance to cast their votes on the election day, had a possibility to submit ballots for safe-keeping three days prior elections – on 1, 2 and 3 October. Polling stations where ballots could be submitted for safe-keeping were set up in cities and municipalities with at least 7500 eligible voters. In total, there will be 61 such polling station.
Overseas voters could participate in the Saeima elections by voting on the election day at one of the polling stations established abroad or by mail. Voters had to apply to vote by mail in advance – between 3 May and 12 September.
Voters unable to come to the polling station for health reasons, caregivers of these voters and caregivers of ill persons could apply for off-site voting. Requests for off-site voting could be submitted between 29 September and 4 October.
In the Saeima elections, voting was organized also for soldiers serving in international operations and for voters in penitentiaries.
Submission of lists of candidates
For the 12th Saeima elections, submission of lists of candidates took place between 16 July 2014 and 5 August 2014. Lists of candidates had to be submitted to the Central Election Commission.
Legally registered parties and alliances of parties were entitled to submit a list of candidates to the Saeima elections. Lists of candidates had to be prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Saeima Election Law.
Submitters of lists of candidates had to make a security deposit of EUR 1400 in the bank account of the Central Election Commission.
A list of candidates and the attached documents had to be prepared electronically in the system for submission of lists of candidates of the Central Election Commission. A list of candidates and the attached documents had to be submitted also in paper.