RIGA, May 19 (LETA) - A total of 48 candidates have been removed from electoral lists ahead of this year's municipal elections, the Central Election Commission informed LETA.

When the submission of electoral lists ended in the first half of April, 5,975 candidates had been registered to contest 731 seats on municipal council in this summer's elections, but now the total number of candidates has dropped to 5,927, which means that 48 candidates have been removed from the electoral lists.

As reported, four candidates have been removed from political parties' electoral lists in Saulkrasti municipality, and Daugavpils, Ogre municipality, Riga and Saldus municipality have each seen three candidates being disqualified from running in the elections. In 18 municipalities, no candidate has been removed from the electoral lists.

The Central Election Commission told LETA that provision of false information about candidates was the most common reason why some candidates were removed from the lists.

The second most widespread reason for candidates' removal is information received from the relevant authorities about a candidate's criminal record, which prevents him/her from standing in local elections.

As reported, local elections will be held in Latvia in early June.