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Parliamentary elections in Latvia overall in accordance with international standards
RIGA 6 October 2002
RIGA, 6 October 2002 - Yesterday's parliamentary elections in Latvia were conducted in accordance with international standards, although some issues remain to be addressed, concluded the International Election Observation Mission in a statement issued today.
"This fourth general election since the restoration of independence in 1991 marks a clear entrenchment of the democratic process in Latvia", said Lord Russell-Johnston, the head of the delegation of the Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly.
"The newly elected Saeima will have to address some momentous issues, including the country's further integration into European and trans-Atlantic structures", said Gerald Mitchell, the head of the long-term Observation Mission deployed by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR). "In this context, we hope that the parliament will address the remaining challenges in the election process."
The international observers noted that the election was marked by a healthy level of political pluralism and increased transparency of the electoral process. There was a high degree of confidence by voters and candidates in the election administration. In a positive step, provisions requiring Latvian language proficiency by candidates were removed from the electoral legislation in the run-up to the elections. However, the Election Law still restricts candidates based on their past political party and security services affiliations, and a large portion of the population are not citizens and are therefore excluded from participating in elections.
The election administration should be credited for overseeing a smooth and successful election. On the other hand, some questions were raised by ODIHR concerning the role of police officers in polling stations and the need to ensure the secrecy of the ballot.
"This fourth general election since the restoration of independence in 1991 marks a clear entrenchment of the democratic process in Latvia", said Lord Russell-Johnston, the head of the delegation of the Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly.
"The newly elected Saeima will have to address some momentous issues, including the country's further integration into European and trans-Atlantic structures", said Gerald Mitchell, the head of the long-term Observation Mission deployed by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR). "In this context, we hope that the parliament will address the remaining challenges in the election process."
The international observers noted that the election was marked by a healthy level of political pluralism and increased transparency of the electoral process. There was a high degree of confidence by voters and candidates in the election administration. In a positive step, provisions requiring Latvian language proficiency by candidates were removed from the electoral legislation in the run-up to the elections. However, the Election Law still restricts candidates based on their past political party and security services affiliations, and a large portion of the population are not citizens and are therefore excluded from participating in elections.
The election administration should be credited for overseeing a smooth and successful election. On the other hand, some questions were raised by ODIHR concerning the role of police officers in polling stations and the need to ensure the secrecy of the ballot.