Due to the shortage of Information Technology (IT) systems, it will not be possible to organise municipal referendums, admits Chairperson of Latvian Central Election Commission (CVK) Kristīne Saulīte.
She stressed that so far there has been no one to take on the duty of developing necessary IT systems. This is why she cannot comment on any specific dates for municipal referendums.
“It would be unfair towards voters and society in general,” added the chief of CVK. Once an institution responsible for the IT system is picked, then it will be possible to discuss future tasks, explains Saulīte.
When asked if CVK, Ministry of Environment Protection and Regional Development (VARAM) or the Saeima’s Public Administration and Local Government Committee
have to propose amendments to postpone municipal referendums to a later date,
Saulīte said this needs to be done by all involved institutions together.
The head of CVK stressed it doesn’t matter which institution is entrusted with the election IT system – the Central Election Commission will cooperate with it regardless. “IT tools have to serve properly, as it is intended, and the knowledge needs to come from CVK,” said Saulīte.
The law states that the Local Municipalities Referendum Law needs to come into force 1st of January 2024.
Also read: Central Election Commission’s Chief: there should be no political influence over us