On 25 February 2026, Latvian State Security Service (VDD) asked the Prosecution Office to initiate criminal prosecution against a Latvian citizen for unlawfully influencing several voters’ choice during last year’s local government elections in Cēsis municipality.
The criminal case against the person was initiated on the day of the elections – 7 June 2025 – by the State Police. Shortly after that, VDD overtook the investigation of this case in accordance with its jurisdiction.
During the investigation, VDD established that the suspect influenced several persons in one of Cēsis municipality parishes to vote for two candidates of a specific candidate list. The person used his personal vehicle to transport the voters to the polling station and unlawfully filled in election ballots, thus making the choice on behalf of the voters. Likewise, the suspect accompanied one of the voters to the polling station and fraudulently indicated which candidate to vote for.
It should be noted that these particular candidates were not elected in Cēsis Municipal Council.
VDD incriminates the person for crimes stipulated in Section 90 Paragraph 2 of the Criminal Law, i.e., deliberate hindrance of freely exercising the right to vote.
VDD reminds that no person shall be considered guilty until the guilt of such person has been determined in accordance with the procedures laid down in law.
Information prepared by VDD
Illustrative photo, VDD
