A rapid legal shift promises to change how Latvian ballots are counted, but investigators warn more revelations may follow. Public confidence hangs in the balance.
On Thursday, March 26, the Latvian Parliament approved in the final reading a bill that provides for manual counting of votes in the upcoming parliamentary elections scheduled for October this year.
Amendments to the Law on Elections to the Saeima were introduced on an emergency basis and approved in a single day. The initiative was supported by the President of Latvia, Edgars Rinkēvičs.
The decision to switch to manual counting came in response to a highly publicized scandal involving an investigation into IT-system procurements: 21 people have been detained on suspicion, three remain in custody. In particular, the former head of the State Agency for Digital Development, Jorens Liopa, is named.
Officials say that this approach is intended to restore citizens’ trust in the electoral process.
Context and Consequences
All parliamentary factions supported this position unanimously, but heated debates erupted in the chamber before the vote.
A key date to remember: the 15th parliamentary elections to Latvia’s Saeima are scheduled for October 3, 2026.
Taken together, these steps highlight the government’s commitment to ensuring transparency and trust in the electoral process, which is critical for the stability of the democratic system.