RIGA, May 20 (LETA) - In accordance with the law, jailed Ventspils mayor Aivars Lembergs (For Latvia and Ventspils) will not be provided with the opportunity to cast his vote in  Ventspils upcoming municipal elections in June. 

While reviewing the matter on Thursday, the Central Election Commission did not vote on a decision but agreed to prepare a reply to a request submitted by Lembergs' lawyer who asked the election authority to ensure that Lembergs can vote on the candidates fielded in the municipal elections in Ventspils. 

The Law on the Election of Local Government Councils stipulates that "voting at the location of a voter shall take place only if the voter is located in the territory of the electoral district in the electoral roll of which he or she is registered".  

The Central Election Commission debated the issue at length, with some members noting the need to ensure voting rights also to prison inmates. At the same time, it was noted that there are also people who are in hospitals and nursing homes who would also like to take part in elections but who are unable to do so in their respective municipalities. It was concluded that both granting and not granting somebody an exception could entail risks of legal action.

As reported, the Lembergs family will run in Ventspils City Council election on the ticket of For Latvia and Ventspils party, according to information posted on the Central Election Commission's website.

The current Ventspils Mayor Aivars Lembergs will be the number one candidate on the ticket, while his spouse Kristine Lemberga will be 13th on the list. Lemberga is currently head of the Ventspils City Council's Development Administration.

For Latvia and Ventspils ticket also includes current Ventspils City Council members Janis Vitolins, Guntis Blumbergs, Didzis Osenieks, Aigo Gutmanis, Ilze Bunke and Uldis Boitmanis.

As reported, Riga Regional Court on February 22 slapped a five-year jail term, confiscation of property and a EUR 20,000 fine on Lembergs.

Lembergs was arrested in the courtroom. The court, however, took into account the time Lembergs had already spent in arrest - from March 14 until July 10, 2007, and in house arrest - from July 10, 2007, until February 22, 2008.

Lembergs may officially run in local elections until his guilty verdict comes into force, the Central Election Commission's representative Laura Zaharova explained earlier.

Riga Regional Court will release full verdict in the criminal case against Lembergs on June 22.