Latvians abroad will vote in Saeima elections on October 3
The Latvian diaspora abroad is preparing to vote in Latvia’s Saeima elections, which will take place on October 3. For many voters, this day will be not only the fulfillment of a civic duty but also an opportunity to meet old friends and acquaintances, LSM English reports.
Polling stations in 37 countries
Outside Latvia, 82 polling stations will operate in 37 countries. Nine of them will open in the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, where the largest Latvian diaspora lives. Two polling stations will operate at Latvian embassies, while another seven are being organized by volunteers.
One such polling station will operate for the first time in Portsmouth, in southern England. It will be located at St Luke’s Church in the city center. The Latvian community of Portsmouth has regularly gathered on the church premises for the past two years: songs by the Latvian choir are heard there, and children from the school play there.
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Voting in Portsmouth
The polling station will be set up in a smaller room next to the church’s main hall. It has a separate entrance and exit and also allows people with mobility impairments to vote. Polling station chair Ilze Aleksa said that she decided to organize voting after three years of working in the Latvian community of Southern England, where she saw the activity of local Latvians.
At least five or six people have already volunteered to help organize the polling station. They will help prepare soup, work with equipment, and direct voters. After voting, visitors will be offered soup, tea, and coffee at a cafe next to the church. The addresses of all polling stations and information on their accessibility for wheelchair users are available on the Central Election Commission’s interactive map.
