Latvian Central Election Commission's new leader begins duty
The Central Election Commission (CVK) of Latvia is preparing for the parliamentary elections next autumn, with a new head, Māris Zviedris, at the helm. However, specific details about funding and maintenance plans for election IT tools have yet to be revealed.
Māris Zviedris, the former head of the Rīga Election Commission, took office as the head of the CVK on July 30, 2025. His top priority for the upcoming elections is clarity and certainty in the rules of the game. He emphasised that October, a year before the general elections, is the moment to send a clear message on how the elections will be conducted.
Recent events within the State Digital Development Agency (VDAA), which may be involved in managing election-related technology, could impact the maintenance and funding of election IT tools. The director of the VDAA, Jorens Liopa, was suspended due to IT issues at the local elections, and disciplinary proceedings were initiated against him. The director's position has since been vacant.
The resignation of Minister Inga Beźiņa from New Unity and the head of the CVK, Kristīne Saulīte, followed problems with the IT systems at the local elections in June. Inese Zīgure has been appointed as the Acting Chair of the Rīga Election Commission and will act as the Commission's chairperson until a new chairperson is elected.
Māris Zviedris has stated that it may not be economical to abandon the state's investment in IT systems for elections. The funding of the CVK for next year and the possible need for additional money to maintain the election IT tools will be discussed in the autumn. The Ministry of Finance and the government have pledged to communicate more clearly the outlines and possibilities of next year's state budget in the autumn.
Despite the challenges faced in the past, Māris Zviedris is not daunted by the prospect of manual counting of votes. He and the municipal election commissions are still bitter about the last elections, but he remains committed to ensuring a fair and transparent election process.
As the election date approaches, the CVK, under new leadership, and possibly in coordination with digital development authorities, is addressing the challenges highlighted by recent IT organizational issues. Further details about funding and maintenance plans for election IT tools will likely be revealed in official CVK announcements or government budget documents closer to the election date.
- Māris Zviedris, the new head of the Central Election Commission (CVK) in Latvia, has prioritized clarity and certainty in the rules of the upcoming parliamentary elections, emphasizing that October, a year before the general news, is the time to send a clear message on how the elections will be conducted.
- The government and the Ministry of Finance have pledged to communicate more clearly the outlines and possibilities of next year's state budget in the autumn, as the funding of the CVK for next year and the potential need for additional money to maintain the election IT tools will be discussed during that time.
- The CVK, under the new leadership of Māris Zviedris, is addressing the challenges highlighted by recent IT organizational issues and will likely reveal further details about funding and maintenance plans for election IT tools in official CVK announcements or government budget documents closer to the election date.
