Latvia replaces election staff in Daugavpils and Krāslava after VDD checks
- Election officials in eastern Latvia have replaced more than 20 precinct workers in Daugavpils and restructured staff in Krāslava ahead of upcoming elections following security evaluations by the...
- Daugavpils operates 29 election precincts, where the local election commission terminated cooperation with over 20 employees and replaced them.
- Šķiet, ka mēs veiksmīgi tikām galā un šobrīd sastāvs ir izveidots, un mēs esam gatavi.
Election officials in eastern Latvia have replaced more than 20 precinct workers in Daugavpils and restructured staff in Krāslava ahead of upcoming elections following security evaluations by the State Security Service. Central Election Commission Chairman Māris Zviedris confirmed that security screenings of precinct workers are standard practice.
Precinct Staff Changes in Daugavpils and Krāslava
Daugavpils operates 29 election precincts, where the local election commission terminated cooperation with over 20 employees and replaced them. Daugavpils Election Commission Chair Ruta Velika stated that she received directives from the State Security Service to carry out these changes, and all precincts are now fully staffed. In Krāslava, 140 workers are assigned to 26 election precincts. While the Krāslava roster was approved in March, commission chair Zane Ločmele received an order on September 18 requiring personnel changes just one week before the election. Ločmele noted that rebuilding the roster created an additional administrative burden during a busy preparation window that involved distributing materials and setting up polling locations.
Šķiet, ka mēs veiksmīgi tikām galā un šobrīd sastāvs ir izveidots, un mēs esam gatavi. Tā tiešām bija tikai viena nedēļa, mēs pieņēmām lēmumu izvēlēties cilvēkus, uzrunāt šos cilvēkus, kuri bija pieteikušies jau martā. Jāsaka, ka praktiski zvanījām tiem, kuri bija pieteikumus atsūtījuši – piekrita.
Zane Ločmele, Krāslava Municipal Election Commission Chair
Security Screening Protocol and State Security Service Findings
Central Election Commission Chairman Māris Zviedris described security evaluations of precinct workers as standard practice, noting that official opinions are issued at various times, including immediately prior to elections. While Zviedris acknowledged that adjustments close to voting day present logistical challenges, he confirmed that election districts maintain employee reserves and that the commission has no reports of municipalities failing to staff their polling locations. The State Security Service confirmed to the Latvian Public Broadcasting Latgale newsroom that its checks on 6,000 workers identified risk factors including post-invasion travel to Russia and Belarus alongside pro-Kremlin messaging. Security authorities repeatedly urged citizens to avoid travel to those countries, supporting measures such as the 2025 Law on Restricting Activities Endangering National Security, which bans specific personnel groups from visiting Russia and Belarus to prevent the power structures of Russia and Belarus from establishing direct contacts with Latvian nationals.