RIGA, Jan 21 (LETA) - The Central Election Commission today announced the June 5 local elections that will take place in 41 municipalities: six cities and 35 regions, as the commission's representative Laura Zaharova told LETA.

Riga City Council elections will not be held this year as extraordinary elections to the city council were held in 2020 and the current councilors will serve until the 2025 elections.

On January 26, the Election Commission will determine the numbers of local government members to be elected. According to the law, the number of local government members is determined according to the municipality's population on the day an election is announced.

In regions with a population of up to 30,000, local governments will be made up of fifteen councilors, in regions with a population of 30,001 to 60,000 - nineteen council members, and in regions with more than 60,000 residents - 23 council members. Councils in cities with a population of under 50,000 will be made up of thirteen council members, and in cities with a population of over 50,000 - fifteen council members.

Polling stations will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, June 5. Early voting will take place on May 31 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., on June 3 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and on June 4 from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.

For the first time, voters currently abroad will also have a chance to cast their votes by mail. Voters who are physically unable to visit the closest polling station will be able to vote from home.

Citizens of Latvia and European Union member countries who have reached the age of eighteen are eligible to elect councils. In order to participate in local elections in Latvia, an EU citizen has to be registered in the Population Register of Latvia ninety days prior to the elections.

Voters have the rights to vote on the administrative territory of the local government where their place of residence has been registered ninety days prior to the election day or on the administrative territory of the local government where they own real estate registered in the respective municipality pursuant to the law.

Tickets for the local elections will be submitted from March 17 to April 6.