RIGA, April 7 (LETA) - The Latvian Association of Regions (LRA) in the upcoming local elections will run with 31 tickets , LRA board chairman Edvards Smiltens told the press today.

Smiltens informed that the party this year accepted 150 new members, opening 11 new regional departments. For the upcoming elections, the party has set up 31 teams with 469 candidates, covering 76 percent of all municipalities.

Among candidates there are experienced lawmakers and heads of local governments, as well as people who have not been in politics so far.

LRA will run with its own ticket in 21 municipalities, while in other municipalities the party has joined forces with other parties.

Leaders of the party, addressing colleagues and journalists, criticized the governments and the administrative territorial reform.

As reported, municipal elections will take place in June.