In case of illness of the election commissions of the Riga City Council in emergency elections, they can afford to close up to half of the polling stations. That would be the worst case scenario, the Central Election Commission (CEC) said. Meanwhile, the Riga City Election Commission has calculated – additional expenses to ensure the elections in Covid-19 conditions, estimated at 440,000 euros.
IN SHORT:
- There is a shortage of managers, secretaries and computer specialists in the polling stations.
- Additional costs related to Covid-19 – 440,000 euros.
- The head of the CEC is convinced that the elections can take place even if half of the polls are closed due to Covid-19.
Riga elections will also be possible if up to 50% of the polling stations are closed due to Covid-19 illnessesKristaps Feldmanis
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Riga City Council extraordinary elections will take place on August 29 this year. Juris Kokins, the head of the Riga City Election Commission, explained that the preparations for them are taking place in the usual way. At the moment, however, not everything has been done, for example – there is a shortage of polling station workers.
“Assembly is not too easy. About 70% of everything is complete. Given that additional people will be needed, it means that you will have to work.
More complicated is the lack of managers, secretaries and computer specialists in some departments.
We are still looking for them, because the members of the commission are easier to collect, “Kokins said.
The organization of elections in accordance with the principles of Covid-19 non-proliferation also takes a lot of work. The required amount of protective equipment has already been identified and a price study has been carried out. It is also estimated that the additional costs are estimated at around 440,000 euros.
“We want disinfectants for the electorate, protective gloves that we will make for the electorate to wear, a protective mask, and we will give each individual a pen for use. Of course, disinfect the unit four times, because you have to disinfect it every day.
The above amount also includes the extension of polling station opening hours on election days and protective clothing, as well as respirators for those employees who will go home to the voters. According to Kokin, it is never known for what reason the voter applied for a home visit. Kokin also explained that work is currently underway on a regulation on how to better equip the polling station.
Meanwhile, Kristīne Bērziņa, the head of the Central Election Commission, explained that in case an employee of the commission infected with Covid-19 is found during the election, the polling station may be closed and voters will be transferred to other polling stations.
Bērziņa is convinced that in the worst case scenario, elections could also be held if up to half of the number of polling stations were closed.
“The question, of course, will be – who is ill and how close the patient will be with the election commission or other voters. However, if a polling station member and epidemiologists believe that the entire commission needs to be quarantined, the polling station is likely to be closed. , “said Bērziņa.
The submission of election lists will also begin on Tuesday, July 14. Juris Kokins, the head of the Riga City Election Commission, said that the competition between the parties for who would submit the list first was great. This time the fastest have managed to apply for “Development / About!” and “Progressive”, who submit their joint election list at 12 noon. In an hour, the New Conservative Party, then “Honor to Serve Riga”, then “Harmony”, and last Tuesday at 4 pm the joint list will be submitted by the National Union and the Association of Latvian Regions.
Although this time the polls will be able to vote at any polling station, Kokin urges residents to vote at their polling station, as this will reduce queues and congestion while data is exchanged between the polling station and where the person has arrived.
CONTEXT:
Candidates for the position of Riga City Council extraordinary election mayor
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The Saeima at the beginning of this year decided to dismiss Riga City Council. However, the election date has been postponed twice in connection with the reduction of Covid-19. Election date set August 29.
The greatest support in the extraordinary elections of the Riga City Council is currently being promised “Harmony” followed by “Development / About!” and the “Progressive” joint list, which also saw the sharpest increase in support in two months. Meanwhile, support for “Harmony” has fallen.
In Latvia on June 10 ended Emergency to declare the new coronavir announced on 12 March. The virus is still circulating and there are no drugs or vaccines against it, so a number of restrictions and precautions remain in place.
Until the end of June for indoor events was allowed to assemble not more than 100, but outdoors – not more than 300 people. In turn, from July 1000 people can gather outside for events; from August, this ceiling will be – 3000 people. Restrictions inside depend on the size of the room. The two-meter distance is still valid. But mouth and nose covers are no longer mandatory on public transport.
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