In several municipalities in eastern Latvia, the composition of polling station staff was changed before the elections following checks conducted by the Security Police. This was reported by the Latvian Television program Panorāma. According to the Security Police, about 6000 polling station employees across the country underwent checks. Among the risk factors noted were trips to Russia and Belarus after the start of the full-scale war in Ukraine, as well as the spread of pro-Kremlin narratives. The most significant changes occurred in Daugavpils. Here, the city electoral commission terminated cooperation with more than 20 employees, replacing them with other candidates. Chairwoman of the Daugavpils Electoral Commission Ruta Velika stated that the commission followed the instructions of the Security Police and that all 29 polling stations are currently fully staffed. In the Kraslava region, changes also had to be made on a tight schedule. The staff composition of 26 polling stations was approved back in the spring, but on September 18, the commission received an order to make changes. "It seems we managed to handle it successfully, and now the staff is formed, we are ready. We had only one week for all this," said the chairwoman of the Kraslava Electoral Commission Zane Lochmele. According to her, the commission contacted candidates who had applied back in March, and almost all agreed to start working. Chairman of the Central Election Commission Maris Zviedris noted that checks of polling station staff by security authorities are a standard procedure. Conclusions can come at different stages of preparation, including shortly before the voting day. "It is clear that a week before the elections, this becomes a more complicated task," said Zviedris. At the same time, he emphasized that the CEC has no information about municipalities that were unable to fully staff their polling stations. There is a reserve of staff for such cases. The Security Police also reminded that it has repeatedly urged residents to refrain from traveling to Russia and Belarus. Furthermore, starting in 2025, there will be a law prohibiting certain categories of civil servants from visiting these countries. As the service explains, the aim of such restrictions is to reduce the risk of establishing contacts with Russian and Belarusian intelligence services, as Latvia's ability to protect its citizens in these countries is limited. Preparation for the elections continues, and according to the CEC, all polling stations are staffed with the necessary personnel.
