This time, when planning the elections, special attention was paid to guaranteeing the safety of voters and polling station employees as much as possible in the conditions when the new coronavirus continues to spread in the country.
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To this end, the previous vote, which was otherwise limited to two days, was extended, but this year lasted from Monday to Thursday, while on Friday and Saturday there was a home vote, which was also open to people who need to be in isolation.
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To make it easier to regulate voter flows, additional polling stations have also been set up in concert halls, sports centers and even city squares in large cities. Voters are invited to come and vote with a face mask and their own pen, however, those who come without a mask and a writing pad will be issued at the polling station.
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According to CVK, 2,449,683 people are entitled to go to the polls this time – almost 55,000 less than four years ago.
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President Gitan Nauseda has called on the people to take part in the elections actively and responsibly, noting that every effort has been made to guarantee the safety of the electorate. According to him, “the coronavirus cannot be a reason to relinquish one’s rights and responsibilities as a citizen.”
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However, analysts admit that voter turnout this time could be quite low, because people will simply be afraid to go to the polls.
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According to CVK data, 7.39% of eligible voters took part in the previous voting, which is almost four percentage points more than in 2016, when it took place only two days ago.
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141 deputies must be elected to the Lithuanian Seimas, 70 deputies are elected in a multi-member constituency according to party lists, and 71 – in single-member constituencies.
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17 lists and 1,754 candidates compete for the seats of deputies in these elections. According to the Central Election Commission, the average statistical candidate is a man of about fifty years of age with a higher education named Vytautas, and his financial situation is characterized by money, securities and property. on average € 147,000.
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Opinion polls show that the ruling Peasants ‘and Greens’ Union and the largest opposition party, the Fatherland Union – Lithuanian Christian Democrats, have a similar chance of winning, and each could get about 15-20% of the vote on party lists.
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The Lithuanian Social Democratic Party, the Labor Party, the Liberal Movement and the recently founded Freedom and Justice Party, which has been established in place of the Order and Justice Party, also have a chance to enter the Seimas according to party lists. Each of these parties could get 5-10% of the vote.
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On the other hand, the other two parties in the ruling coalition – the Social Democratic Labor Party and the “Lithuanian Polish Election Campaign – Union of Christian Families” – may not overcome the 5% barrier.
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Polling stations will be open on Sunday from 7 to 20.
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It is expected that the election of all deputies in single-member constituencies will require a second round of elections on October 25.
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