All epidemiological safety requirements must be observed during outdoor pre-election campaigning

On Thursday, 13 May, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the amendments prepared by the Ministry of Justice to the regulations governing epidemiological safety measures related to limiting the spread of Covid-19 infection. The amendments provide for allowing pre-election campaigning in public outdoor spaces, provided that epidemiological safety requirements are strictly observed, while at the same time prohibiting pre-election campaigning indoors, except for the placement of campaign materials.

No more than ten people, excluding campaigners, may participate in outdoor pre-election campaigning. Campaigning outdoors is permitted only on condition that all necessary epidemiological safety requirements are observed—maintaining a distance of two metres and using mouth and nose coverings. It is the campaigner's duty to monitor compliance with all epidemiological safety requirements and to display information about the person responsible, as well as the precautionary and safety requirements.

Additional information:

The purpose of pre-election campaigning is to ensure that individuals have the opportunity to express their views and that society has the opportunity to receive comprehensive information about candidates for deputy, lists of candidates for deputy, political parties and alliances of political parties before elections to the Saeima, the European Parliament and local government councils. This provides voters with the opportunity to assess the proposals of political parties and make an objective choice, which is necessary in a democratic society.

Outdoor spaces include squares, small public gardens, parks, streets, roads, bridges, tunnels and other similar places that are publicly accessible to a defined group of persons—in other words, outdoor spaces for public use.

Author:

tm.gov.lv