The search for a new CVK head comes after the resignation of Kristīne Saulīte from the post last week after just two years in the job. Technical issues with the recent local elections, when problems were experienced with vote-counting machines and software systems were behind her departure.
Zviedris has been the head of the Riga Electoral Commission since December 16, 2020. Before being elected as the head of the commission, he was the Head of the Territory Maintenance Department of the Rīga North Executive Directorate.
In 2017, he ran in the Sigulda regional elections from the joint list of the National Alliance and the Regional Alliance.
Zviedris had flagged up potenial problems with the elections in the run-up to the main voting day on June 7, and his warnings appeared to prove accurate, though according to LTV’s De facto investigative show, Saulīte interpreted his whistleblowing as an attempt to undermine the digital election platform.
In addition to Saulīte’s job, unhappiness with the election process led to the resignation of Minister of Smart Administration and Regional Development Inga Bērziņa (New Unity) and the suspension pending an investigation of director of the State Digital Development Agency, Jorens Liopa, whose institution was responsible for the glitchy electoral systems.
Saeima members must nominate candidates for the position of CVK chair by June 17th and a new incumbent could be approved as early as June 19th. The CVK chair is appointed by Saeima vote.
Another rumoured potential contender for the position is former Constitutional Court judge Gunārs Kusiņš.
Appointing a new election head is a matter of some urgency with the next Saeima elections due to take place in 2026.