Latvia appoints a new leader for its Central Election Commission
Māris Zviedris, a seasoned politician with a rich background in election management, has been appointed as the new chair of the Central Election Commission (CVK) of Latvia. The announcement was made on Latvian Television's programme Morning Panorama on Thursday, June 19, 2025.
Zviedris's extensive experience in the electoral sphere includes his tenure as the head of the Riga Election Commission since December 16, 2020. In this role, he oversaw the organisation and conduct of local elections within Riga, ensuring compliance with election laws, managing voting processes, and coordinating with local government institutions to maintain the integrity and transparency of elections.
Now, as the head of the Central Election Commission, Zviedris's responsibilities have expanded to encompass national-level election management. Key duties include ensuring the readiness and security of IT systems for elections, communicating effectively with local election commissions, and addressing any issues that may arise during electoral processes.
In his statement on Latvian Television, Zviedris acknowledged the high level of responsibility that comes with his new position. He emphasised the importance of understanding whether IT systems work efficiently and highlighted clear and open communication with local government election commissions as a priority.
Zviedris was supported by 78 members of parliament in the Saeima, with six members of the For Stability! faction voting against him. The composition of the Riga Election Commission, which consists of nine members as per law, is determined by a combination of Saeima and Supreme Court elections. One member of the election commission is elected by the Supreme Court from among its judges.
Before his tenure with the Riga Election Commission, Zviedris served as the head of the Territorial Maintenance Department of the Riga Northern Executive Directorate. His political career also includes serving as a member of the Riga Election Commission.
The Riga Election Commission is an essential body in Latvian politics, responsible for overseeing elections within the capital city. Zviedris's commitment to discussing uncomfortable issues openly and his dedication to maintaining the integrity and transparency of elections are qualities that have served him well in his previous roles and are likely to continue to do so in his new position as the head of the Central Election Commission.
[1] Reference: Latvian Television's programme Morning Panorama, June 19, 2025.
- The appointment of Māris Zviedris as the new chair of the Central Election Commission was made on Latvian Television's programme Morning Panorama.
- Zviedris's role in the Saeima, Latvia's parliament, saw him gain the support of 78 members for his position as the head of the Central Election Commission.
- As the head of the Central Election Commission, Zviedris's responsibilities extend to national-level election management, including IT systems security, communication with local election commissions, and ensuring the integrity and transparency of elections, as seen in his previous role with the Riga Election Commission.
