The elections for the 15th Saeima of Latvia set a record for the lowest voter turnout since the country regained independence. According to preliminary data obtained after processing information from 995 out of 1059 polling stations, 50.81% of eligible voters participated in the voting. The previous low was recorded in the elections for the 13th Saeima, when the turnout was 54.56%. The third lowest figure remains the elections for the 12th Saeima, in which 58.85% of voters participated. Thus, for the first time in modern Latvian history, voter turnout in parliamentary elections has dropped to nearly 50%. In comparison, in the first elections after the restoration of independence — for the 5th Saeima — 89.9% of voters cast their ballots. Since then, citizen participation in elections has gradually decreased, although some campaigns were accompanied by slight fluctuations. The turnout in the previous parliamentary elections was as follows: - 5th Saeima — 89.9%; - 6th Saeima — 71.9%; - 7th Saeima — 71.89%; - 8th Saeima — 71.51%; - 9th Saeima — 60.98%; - 10th Saeima — 63.12%; - 11th Saeima — 59.45%; - 12th Saeima — 58.85%; - 13th Saeima — 54.56%; - 14th Saeima — 59.41%; - 15th Saeima — 50.81% (preliminary data). As of now, this is preliminary turnout — the data has not been received from all polling stations. However, even after processing the remaining protocols, the figure will not exceed the results of the previous parliamentary elections. The Central Election Commission will publish the final turnout data and official election results after all protocols have been processed.
