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Voter apathy ahead of Latvia poll Latvians vote in general election
(about 1 hour later)
Latvians are preparing to vote in the country's first parliamentary elections since joining the EU and Nato in 2004. Latvians have begun voting in the country's first parliamentary elections since joining the EU and Nato in 2004.
But a lack of major issues and a campaign marred by corruption scandals and accusations of cheating may lead to low voter turnout, correspondents say. But correspondents predict a low voter turnout due to a lack of major issues and a campaign marred by corruption scandals and accusations of cheating.
Current Prime Minister Aigars Kalvitis has promised to continue close relations with the West if victorious.Current Prime Minister Aigars Kalvitis has promised to continue close relations with the West if victorious.
Opposition leader, and former prime minister, Einars Repse is hoping to return to power. Opposition leader, and former prime minister, Einars Repse is hoping for a return to power.
This is the fifth general election Latvia has held since it became independent from the Soviet Union 15 years ago.This is the fifth general election Latvia has held since it became independent from the Soviet Union 15 years ago.
Vote appealVote appeal
Previous turnout has been high, with more than 70% of voters casting a ballot in the last election.Previous turnout has been high, with more than 70% of voters casting a ballot in the last election.
But this time a record low is expected, says the BBC's Laura Sheeter in Riga.But this time a record low is expected, says the BBC's Laura Sheeter in Riga.
President Vaira Vike-Freiberga has appealed for Latvians to vote.President Vaira Vike-Freiberga has appealed for Latvians to vote.
"If you don't vote," she said on national television on Thursday, "then you have no right to complain about what takes place in the country"."If you don't vote," she said on national television on Thursday, "then you have no right to complain about what takes place in the country".
An opinion poll by Latvijas Fakti indicated that the ruling conservative People's Party and its coalition partners were leading amongst decided voters.An opinion poll by Latvijas Fakti indicated that the ruling conservative People's Party and its coalition partners were leading amongst decided voters.
But with the poll suggesting that 20% of eligible voters still do not know who they will vote for or whether they will vote at all, few are expecting any of the parties to emerge as a clear winner, our correspondent says.But with the poll suggesting that 20% of eligible voters still do not know who they will vote for or whether they will vote at all, few are expecting any of the parties to emerge as a clear winner, our correspondent says.